CHAPTER C: THE MITZVOT BETWEEN A PERSON AND HIS FELLOW MAN

A. The Prohibition of Killing: A person and humanity must safeguard the most important deposit in their custody, which is to protect the lives of human beings.

1. A person is prohibited to kill any person, grownup, or child, man or woman and even the fetus in a womb.

B. It is prohibited to kill a sick person even if he is dying of a terminal disease and there is no chance of saving his life even if the patient himself requests to die. It is also prohibited to take any organs from such a person while he is still alive, even if it is to save some other person's life. But such a patient if it is known that there is no chances of saving life, there is no need to prolong his suffering by artificial means, since the patient is dying anyway. But we are not allowed to cut off the equipment that allows him to breathe.

C. It is forbidden to kill a criminal before he is brought to trail and a court sentences him.

D. A person is not allowed to commit suicide. If he is being forced to sin in matters that a Noahide can suffer a punishment of death, then he is allowed to commit suicide to sanctify the name of G-d. If he is being forced to kill another person otherwise he will be killed himself, he is not allowed to kill others. But if the killers are demanding that one person be handed over to them otherwise they will kill everyone, then it is allowed to hand over one person so as to save the lives of all the others.

E. If a person is running after you or chasing you, in order to do you harm but not to kill you, then you are not allowed to kill him. But if his purpose is to kill, then if you have no other way in which to save your life but to kill him, you are allowed to do so. But is there is any other way that you can save your life then you are not allowed to kill him. For example, by just injuring him enough to stop him from chasing you.

[1]. Which are the ways that you are allowed to kill: [a.] If you are being chased by a person that wants to kill you. Or if that person is chasing someone else in order to kill him, then you are allowed to kill him. It is a mitzvah to do so. As Abraham went out to war in order to save Lot his nephew. [b.] Abortion is allowed if it will save the life of the mother.

[2]. War: It is prohibited to declare war on another nation, since you will be involved in killing and you are endangering the lives of your people too. You are allowed to go to war, if you are being attacked. You are allowed to kill the attackers. But you are not allowed to kill prisoners of war, if they no longer are endangering your life.

[3]. Danger of human life: See Chapter B, Item H concerning danger.

B. Prohibition of spoil, plunder and harming the rights of others.

1. A person is not allowed to insult or injure the reputation of a friend in public. It is better that he fall into a burning fire rather than insult a friend. As Tamar did in order not to publicly insult Judah. Tamar was a child of Noah.

2. Hitting another person: It is prohibited to hit another person or to injure him. Parents or teachers are allowed to hit their children in order to discipline them and in self protection.

3. Property, Goods and Possessions of others: It is prohibited to cause damage to such things. If a person is given such a possession to safeguard it or for any other reason, even if it is worthless, you are not allowed to keep it and it must be returned to its legal owner. A person is also not allowed to cheat on taxes.

4. Returning lost property: In a country where there is a law about the return of lost property, then he must hand over such goods.

5. Prohibition of cheating in business and weights: A person is not only prohibited to do so but he must make every effort to protect his credibility by carrying out his business transactions in the most honest and honorable way possible.

6. Coveting other person's property and money: It is prohibited to do so. According to Halacha, Jewish law, it is prohibited to covet belongings of another and to try and acquire them by legal or illegal methods.

7. Bribery: It is prohibited to give or accept bribes.

C. GRACE, MERCY, CHARITY, KINDNESS, AND BENEVOLENCE.

1. A Noahide is called upon to give to charities and persons in need. According to Rav Saadiah Gaon, a person must tithe, meaning that at least one tenth of all his earnings must be set aside for this purpose. According to Ezekiel, one of the reasons for the punishment of Sodom was that poor people there was not given alms. It is worthwhile that a person keep a special account for such a purpose and once a week or month he should transfer it to good causes. The best thing being if he can transfer it directly to the needy people.

2. A Noahide is called upon to act in a graceful manner and to be benevolent. For example to be hospitable and to be a good host with all your heart as Abraham used to be.

Article contributed by Jack E. Saunders