COMING JEWISH 'UTOPIA' RULED BY NOAHIDE LAWS
By Rev. Ted Pike and Harmony Grant
30 May 07
Most of the world's great religions teach that their own way will
prevail in the end. Muslims believe the whole world will someday
accept their one God, Allah, and Mohammed as his prophet. Most Christians
believe that in a coming "millennium" Christ will firmly
yet benevolently rule a restored and enlightened world. Religious
Jews also await their future triumph, promised by the Talmud. They
keenly anticipate the messiah they believe will exalt the Jewish
people and Hebraic monotheism to dominate the nations.
The Encyclopedia Judaica says hope in the coming Jewish messiah
is intense, especially among Orthodox Jews in Israel: "Orthodoxy
retains unimpaired the traditional doctrine…Among Orthodox
rabbis, there is no lack of speculation on the meaning of contemporary
events in light of the messianic hope." ("Messiah," p.
1416)
In this ideal Jewish world, what happens to the rest of us? What
is the status of Gentiles, especially Christians? The Babylonian
Talmud, the highest ethical and religious guide for observant Jews,
says Gentiles can join Judaism as proselytes today or in the future
messianic kingdom, as long as they sincerely follow seven commandments.
These “Noahide laws,” says the Talmud, form the basic
moral code God gave Adam; they prohibit idolatry, blasphemy, murder,
theft, “illicit relations,” eating meat with blood, and “failing
to establish courts of justice.”
Medieval Jewish authority Maimonides, whose work remains highly
influential, wrote in his 12th century work the Mishneh Torah that
Gentiles should be compelled by Jews to practice Noahide law. In
a recent
article for the Jewish Press, America’s largest independent
Jewish weekly, Rabbi Moshe Ben-Chaim says Gentiles can be improved
just like Jews, but only through conversion.
“The Noachide laws,” writes the rabbi, “are the
bare essentials that entitle a human being to retain his right to
life.” Remember he is speaking of Gentiles as well as Jews
and, yes, he said right to life. Ben-Chaim cites Isaiah’s prophecy
that someday Gentiles will flock to Jerusalem to “learn Torah.” Jews
must encourage this mass conversion, he says, by refusing to voice
acceptance for other religions. “No, that deludes gentiles
into believing we view their religions on par with Torah,” the
rabbi writes. “Judaism views all other religions as imposters,
since no other religion was God-given… Again, God said, “One
Torah…for yourselves, and the convert.” This means no
other laws are acceptable, for any people.”
In this rabbi’s words we find contemporary mainstream affirmation,
in one of American Jewry’s biggest publications, that deviance
from Noahide law cannot be morally tolerated by observant Jews. Ultimately,
if things were as they should be, Gentiles should be forced to comply.
International Code of Justice
With increase of the power and influence of Judaism including its
ultra-Orthodox branches, it is not surprising that Judaism recommends
the seven Noahide precepts as international law. In a discussion
with other religious leaders and President George Bush Sr., Rabbi
Yakov Cohen said the road map to world peace is found in the seven
Noahide Laws.
Worldwide Noahide observance was promoted by prominent Hasidic
Rabbi Menachem Schneerson. The late rabbi was the seventh leader
of the widespread Lubavitcher movement. Viewed as clannish and eccentric
in dress, the Lubavitchers are nevertheless very powerful and well-funded,
with enormous influence on the burgeoning ultra-Orthodox movement
in Israel. Before his death in 1994, Schneerson was the reigning “temporary
Messiah,” or “Tzaddik,” to a large segment of Kabalist
ultra-orthodox Jewry. He said global observance of Noahide law would
bring world peace and messianic redemption.
Schneerson and his movement are so powerful that they persuaded
Bush Sr. to proclaim Education Day USA in which Schneerson is honored
and Noahide law upheld as an exalted code of ethics to inspire and
guide mankind. Schneerson trained thousands of rabbis to spread strict
Jewish observance (centering around the "Zohar" or mystical/revolutionary
Kabala) around the world.
“Influencing non-Jews to keep their mitzvos, the Seven Noahide
Laws... will assist our task of making the world into a dwelling
place for God, and help bring about the arrival of Messiah,” Schneerson
said in 1987. He said, “Every Jew has the obligation to ensure
that all the peoples of the world observe the Seven Noahide Laws…The
religious tolerance of today, and the trend towards greater freedom,
gives us the unique opportunity to enhance widespread observance
of these laws.”
Michael Kress, in an article for the Noahide.org thinktank, approvingly
describes a growing number of Noahide-observant ex-Christians who
reject the gospels’ account of Jesus and center their lives
around the Seven Laws. In 1991, Yeshiva University’s law school
hosted a symposium of Noahide scholars. Their press release notes, “In
previous generations, the precarious or outright hostile conditions
in which world Jewry survived precluded any public discussion of
the Code [presumably because host nations were not at all pleased
to hear about Jewish plans for worldwide legal control].
“In our generation, however, discussion of the Code both
in print and on the Internet has increased noticeably. The last two
decades have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of both
rabbinical and academic writings as well as the new phenomenon of
books and web pages written for a lay or popular readership.” The
press release says an unprecedented number of Gentiles want to live
according to the Noahide laws and form an audience for scholarship
about them.
Life in the Jewish Utopia
Would worldwide coerced observance of the Noahide laws create more
religious freedom and tolerance? Not a chance. The first law is against
idolatry, and what’s idolatry? The Babylonian Talmud repeatedly
says worship of the false prophet Jesus Christ is idolatry, a crime
worthy of death. The Talmud also says Christ was a blasphemer, a
violator of the second Noahide precept. This makes His worshippers,
who claim He's the second member of a three-party Trinity, blasphemers
also. 1
In his Noahide.org
article, Michael Kress confirms that many observant
Jews believe Christianity (with its “polytheist” belief
in the Trinity) violates Noahide law. If Noahide law were globally
enforced, Christians and all other “idolaters” would
face extermination under this “peace-creating” universal
code!
A visionary book, published in 1932 by Jewish Talmudic scholar
Dr. Michael Higger, describes the brave new Jewish world. 2 Higger
says when a Jewish one-world ruler, messiah, comes, he will enforce
Judaic monotheism. There will be no room for the "idolatrous." "…Only
those who are convinced of Israel's divine purpose in the world,
will be welcome to join Israel in the upbuilding of an ideally spiritual
life on earth. Israel, the ideal, righteous people, will thus become
spiritually masters of the world…" (p41)
Before the messianic era begins, "in general, the peoples
of the world will be divided into two main groups, the Israelitic
and the non-Israelitic. The former will be righteous; they will live
according to the wishes of one, universal God…All the other
peoples, on the other hand, will be known for their detestable practices,
idolatry, and similar acts of wickedness. They will be destroyed
and will disappear from earth before the ushering in of the ideal
era." (p37) "Consequently…idolatry and idol-worshippers,
wicked people, unrighteous nations, will disappear from the earth." (p39)
Goodbye, Christians.
The ravings of a fanatic? Solomon Schechter, founder of conservative
Judaism, along with the council or "Kallah" of Texas Rabbis,
did not think so. They gave the book official endorsement.
The Nations Must Suffer First
Higger provides extensive references from the Babylonian Talmud,
describing enlightened monotheism under messiah. But the Talmud teaches
such tranquility will be dearly bought; a time of Gentile anguish
is necessary to displace Gentiles from their control of the nations
and dominion of Jews. Such suffering will be so great, says the Talmud,
that even "the Almighty Himself will bewail it." 3
The Zohar, or Kabbalah, rivals the authority of the Talmud for
most deeply religious Jews. It teaches that, as the divine yet visible,
practical manifestation of God's will in this world, it is Israel's
job to "wage war" against Gentile control by any means
possible. “Proper order” can only be restored by breaking
down Gentile and Christian influence. 4
This explains how a devout Orthodox Jew and head of the Anti-Defamation
League, Abe Foxman, can rationalize being a man of prayer and piety
and yet energetically promote homosexuality and immorality among
the "goyim." According to the Zohar's reasoning, causing "travail" among
the Gentiles such as Communism, wars, financial panic, media corruption
of society, breakup of families, abortion, pornography, and homosexuality
is necessary to bring about a great good. 5 The Talmud and Zohar
teach that this period of "birth pangs" among the Gentiles
will eventually recede as humanity is ushered into a new age of Judaic
enlightenment—in which belief in one true God and observance
of His laws will prevail over the "confusion" of Christian "polytheism."
Judaizing Christianity
Even today, encouraged by Jewish leaders, Christianity is being
heavily Judaized as Israel is slavishly venerated and Old Testament
rituals and observances are increasingly practiced by evangelicals.
Talmud-quoting Messianic Jews and false prophets such as Dr. John
Hagee set the standard for millions of evangelicals, inviting them
to transition toward Talmudic Judaism. (See, To
Pray or Not to Pray ... in Jesus' Name) This is part of Jewish
activism's strategy to take faith in Christ out of Christianity,
ultimately replacing it with the seven Noahide laws.
Both Talmud and Zohar proclaim the Jewish people to be semi-divine
and occupy a position even above angels. "He who smites an Israelite
on the jaw is as though he had thus assaulted the Divine Presence,
for it is written, One who smiteth man (i.e., an Israelite) attacketh
the Holy One." (Sanhedrin 58b) Already, through ADL hate laws
in countries like Canada and Britain, Judaism and rabbinic literature
cannot be verbally "assaulted" through criticism. Such "anti-Semitism" is
punished severely as a hate crime. ADL's U.S. State Department "Office
of Global Anti-Semitism" defines "anti-Semitism" as "strong
criticism of Israel's leaders." Suggesting a Jewish conspiracy
or even repeating the New Testament allegation that the Jews had
Christ crucified are among 14 offenses considered anti-Semitic. (See,
The Real Motive Behind the 'Department
of Global Anti-Semitism')
These laws are precedents which can be joined with Noahide law
and enforced from Jerusalem, to make it a capital offense in the
new Jewish world order to "blaspheme" the "holy people" by
criticism. Just this year, Knesset members tried to get Jewish Italian
scholar Prof.
Ariel Toaff indicted in Israel for his book that said
there was truth to the 15th century “blood libel.” Israel
already has authority from Knesset to demand extradition from any
nation of persons who "insult the memory of the Jewish dead" by
questioning the accuracy of the six-million figure of Holocaust victims.
Hate laws, emerging worldwide, have one real purpose—to criminalize
that religion which perpetually reminds and accuses Jews that their
forefathers were guilty of deicide and that they share that guilt
as long as they venerate those who had Christ crucified, the Pharisees,
authors of the Talmud and Zohar.
Mortal Combat
Devout Jews have real reason to seek to outlaw Christianity as
a form of idol-worship. Why? Because Christianity does threaten Judaism.
It is fundamentally subversive and threatening to Jewish power and
religious authority. It undermines the whole concept of “chosenness” or
salvation through belonging to a particular race. That’s part
of why Christianity has been persecuted and resented by Jewish leaders
since the beginning of the church age. That’s what makes the
unholy alliance between evangelicals and Israel such a strange state
of affairs.
The Book of Acts describes how different from Judaism was the early
Christian church. It relates how the Holy Spirit’s first infilling
caused a group of Christians to speak in the languages of their listeners—Africans,
Arabs, Jews and Romans alike. In explanation, Peter quoted the prophet
Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit
on all people…And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.”
Peter then preached an eloquent overview of the life and crucifixion
of Christ, Who was raised from the dead for the salvation of every
person –Jew and Gentile—who would repent and trustfully
obey Christ for life. When his listeners asked what they should do,
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in
the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you
will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The
promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for
all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2)
Christ’s message was of radical inclusion, open arms so broad
they crossed all boundaries of race, gender, and religion. His once
tiny church grew faster than a pro-athlete on steroids as missionaries
traveled the early world, preaching the good news that salvation
was now possible (for everyone!) through simple faith and forsaking
of sin. Few things could have been more threatening to the racism
of the Pharisees, which depended on firm physical barriers between
Jew and Gentile. By the gift of His Spirit and union of all believers
into one church, Christ ended the need for dramatic physical separation
from “unclean” non-Jews. He also ended any need for the
Pharisees as an institution of guidance for the Jewish people. Because
Christ rejected and excoriated them, the Pharisees masterminded His
crucifixion.
Every individual, Jewish or not, must face the sobering question, “What
will you say of Jesus, who is called Christ?” Was He the Jews’ true
Messiah, whose living Spirit can redeem our souls? Or should we look
for peace to more government, to the solutions of Jewish rabbis administered
from a global court in Jerusalem?
We know our answer. What’s yours?
Endnotes:
1 The Talmud said Jesus was, along with Balaam and Titus, one of
the three greatest enemies of Judaism (Gittin 56b-57a). The New Testament
confirms that the Pharisees considered Christ demon-possessed (John
8:48), a charlatan empowered by the devil (Matt. 12:24), a deceiver
(Matt. 27:6), a blasphemer (Jn. 10:36), and having an unclean spirit
(Mk. 3:30). The Talmud says He was a bastard, son of adulterous Mary
(Sanhedrin 106b). He was hung on the eve of Passover because He was
a sorcerer and apostate (Sanh. 43a). He was a fool who fell down
and worshipped a brick (Sanh. 67a). He was executed by stoning, burning,
decapitation, and strangling (Sanh. x.2:90a). Jews are encouraged
to lecture against Christ (Sanh. 106b). Christ is in hell, wallowing
in boiling hot excrement (Git. 56b-57a).
The Talmud recommends persecution of Christians. Christians are
heretics (Abodah Zarah 16b), apostates (Shabbethai 116). Christians
may be legally thrown into a pit to die (AZ, 26b). Christians deserve
death for observing the Sabbath (even though they observe the Noahide
laws) (Sanh. 58b) and studying the Old Testament (Sanh. 59a). Christianity
is an unforgivable sin, seducing Jews to idolatry (AZ 17a). The testimony
of a Christian is unworthy to be admitted to a Jewish court (Shulshan
Aruk, Hoshen Mishpat 34,31). Jews are forbidden to return a lost
article to a Christian (HM 266,2). Matthew, Luke, Nicodemus, and
Thaddeus were executed as heretics (Jewish Encyclopedia, "Jesus," page
171). Jews should rejoice, dress in white, and eat, drink, and be
merry at the death of a Christian. They should hate a Christian with
utmost hatred and consider him an enemy (Semahot ch. 2, p. 35).
The Zohar sanctions killing of Gentiles, including Christians. "Take
the life of the Kliphoth [Gentile and Christian] and kill them, and
you will please God the same as one who offers incense to Him." (Sephar
or Israel 177b) "The people of the earth are idolaters, and
it has been written of them, 'Let them be wiped off the face of the
earth.'" (I 25, Pranaitis translation, "The Talmud Unmasked," p.
80) "When these shall be exterminated, it will be as if God
had made heaven and earth on that day." (I, Bereshith, 25b) "At
the moment when the Holy One, blessed be he, will exterminate all
the goyim of the world….the Lord alone will appear great on
that day." (Sec. Vayschlah, folio 177b, de Pauly translation) "It
is certain our captivity will last until the princes of the Gentiles
who worship idols are destroyed." (I, 219, Pranaitis, p. 80) "In
the palaces of the fourth heaven are those who lamented over Sion
and Jerusalem, and all those who destroyed idolatrous nations, and
those who killed off people who worship idols…" (I, 38b,
39a)
The preface to the Soncino edition of the Zohar says: "The
Zohar appeals to many Jews in a way that makes them regard it as
the most sacred of sacred books! For it mirrors Judaism as an intensely
vital religion of the spirit. More overpoweringly than any other
book or code, or even than the Bible, does it give to the Jew a conviction
of an inner, unseen spiritual universe - an eternal moral order." (p.12)
2 The Jewish Utopia, Michael Higger, Ph.D., The Lord Baltimore Press,
1932, 160 pages. This book is available for $15 postpaid from Emissary
Publications, P.O. Box 294, Colton, OR 97017 (503-824-2050).
3 Sanh. 98b, 99a.
4 Zohar I, 160a.
5 Discussion and documentation of virtually all these topics can
be found in articles archived at www.truthtellers.org, in my book Israel:
Out Duty, Our Dilemma, or in my four video documentaries
airing at video.google.com.
Rev. Ted Pike is director of the National Prayer Network, a Christian/conservative
watch dog organization.
Let the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith teach you how they
have saddled 45 states with hate laws capable of persecuting Christians:
http://www.adl.org/99hatecrime/intro.asp.
Learn how ADL took away free speech in Canada and wants to steal
it now in the U.S. Congress. Watch Rev. Ted Pike's Hate
Laws: Making Criminals of Christians at video.google.com. Purchase
this gripping documentary to show at church. Order online at www.truthtellers.org for $24.90, DVD or VHS, by calling 503-853-3688, or at the address
below.
TALK SHOW HOSTS: Interview Rev. Ted Pike on
the threat of hate laws, both federal and state. Call (503) 631-3808.
National Prayer Network, P.O. Box 828, Clackamas,
OR 97015
