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The 3rd law of the Laws of Noah concerns Murder.
Only text in light-blue are from authoritive sources originally compiled specifically to express the absolute
obligations upon the nations of the world. Anything else represents either my own elucidations of the law at hand
or related information. Related information consists of texts not originally written specifically for the
nations of the world, but which I am inclined to think are logical necessities for strengthening observance of the
Laws of Noah.
The following is the codification of the Sanhedrin's clarification of this prohibition as put forth
by RAMBAM in the Mishneh Torah, Hilkhoth Melakhim u'Milhamotheihem 9:6 [4]
A ben Noah who murders any human-being, even one unborn in the womb of its mother, such a person is liable for the death penalty because he is guilty of murder. Likewise, if someone killed another person who would have soon died anyway,
put someone in front of a lion, or starved someone to death, such a person is liable for the death penalty, because in one way or another, this person mudered.
Likewise, if one slayed a person who was violently chasing
someone, in a situation where the life of the violent chaser could have been spared if injuring one of the chasers
limbs was all that was needed to impare him, such a person who needlessly killed the pursuer is liable for the death penalty.
Webmaster's comment: In the context of Torah (Divinely given Instruction),
murder is any killing which is not justified according to the Instructions of the Absolute ONE - Lord of all existence; He
is Creator and Ruler of all life. He ALONE is the Absolute Authority over all creation. He ALONE determines what
is right and wrong, moral and immoral. According to His Will alone we were given existence and are sustained; and according
to His Will ALONE are we permitted to exist. If we transgress the conditions of His permission for us to live, then
if we were to be killed in the manner which He commands for us to be killed -- this is in no way murder and in no way wicked.
Rather, such would be an upright act and the fulfillment of His commandments. HOWEVER, never is death of any type something
to relish in. The Creator does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked ( See
Ezekiel 18:23 or 33:11 ). Yet His commandments, under certain situations, demands their execution (See: Exodus 21; 31:14-15; Leviticus 20 - Keep in mind that only Noahide Laws apply to non-Jews). And His commandments are righteous, just, and true (See "The Everlasting Covenant"):
"All His precepts are certain.
They are upheld forever and
ever; They are carried out in truth
and uprightness." ( Psalms 111:7-8)
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"...And likewise, a person should not be a free-spender, tightfisted, nor lazy and idle - but rather he should be magnanimous: He should be occupied with work minimally, and be occupied in Torah (restricted to Laws of Noah for ben Noah);
and the little bit which is his portion, he should be happy with it. And he should not be quarrelsome, nor a jealous
person, nor lustful, nor one who chases after personal glory. The sages of Israel stated thusly: ' envy,
lust, and the quest for personal glory remove a person from the world. The general principle of the matter
-- a person should go according to the standard of moderation in each and every trait, so as to have all his traits directed
to moderation; And this is what Sha'lomo (King Solomon) was referring to when he stated, 'and all your ways shall
be firm [ei: not unbalanced].' ( Proverbs 4:26)
"...But these individuals who commit adultry with their hands and release seed -- is it not enough for them that
this is a great prohibition?... and about them it is stated, 'Your hands are filled with blood,' ( Isaiah 1:15); and it is as though he has murdered a living-person."
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