Noahide Laws – Huh ?
The so-called Laws of Noah are a derived set of moral and ethical guidelines extrapolated from The Old Testament via Rabbinic traditional interpretations, and codified primarily in the Babylonian Talmud. These principles are presented as universal tenets supposedly given by God to Noah after the Flood, intended for all non-Jewish ‘sons of Noah’.
According to majority Rabbinic explanation, these so-called ‘laws’ are as follows:
1. Prohibition against idolatry.
2. Do not blaspheme God.
3. Do not commit murder.
4. Abstain from sexual immorality.
5. Do not steal.
6. Do not eat flesh taken from a living animal.
7. Do Establish courts of justice.
These guidelines are presented as a fundamental moral code, and in some Rabbinic thought, they provide a means by which the non-Jewish ‘sons of Noah’ may be considered by the Creator as “righteous gentiles” and be assured of a place in ‘the world to come’ without conversion to Judaism.
How The ‘Noahide Laws’ impact US Law and Citizenry
The Noahide Laws have been referenced in U.S. non-binding public law and presidential proclamations, primarily in the context of “Education Day, U.S.A.,” which honors Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the 7th leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch organization. Schneerson promoted the Noahide Laws as a universal ethical framework.
It’s important to understand that these guideliens have NOT been legislated and ‘signed into law’ as enforceable U.S. statute.
Rather, they are merely symbolic resolutions and proclamations.
US Public Law 102-14
Public Law 102-14 was adopted by the 102nd Congress and signed as a NON-BINDING RESOLUTION by President George H.W. Bush in March of 1991.
This NON-BINDING resolution designated March 26, 1991, as “Education Day, U.S.A.” and did include the following –
– recognition of “the historical tradition of ethical values and principles which are the basis of civilized society and upon which our great Nation was founded.”
– and that “these ethical values and principles have been the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization, when they were known as the Seven Noahide Laws.”
This NON-BINDING resolution was accepted by the House and Senate, reflecting unanimous support on both sides of the aisle for the SYMBOLIC message of the Noahide Laws concerning education and morality. However, this non-binding public law did not and does not establish these so-called Noahide Laws as legally binding in the U.S.
US Presidents have issued proclamations for ‘Education Day’ annually since 1978, often mentioning Rabbi Schneerson and occasionally referencing the Noahide Laws. Here’s a list of Presidents involved:
President Jimmy Carter (1977–1981) initiated the annual recognition of ‘’Education Day’ in 1978 to honor Schneerson’s 76th birthday (Proclamation 4548). While the Noahide Laws weren’t specifically mentioned in Carter’s original proclamation, he DID set the precedent for an annual recognition.
President Ronald Reagan (1981–1989) issued at least seven proclamations concerning ‘Education Day’, a memorial of Schneerson’s birthday, during his terms in office. In 1982 through Proclamation 4921, Reagan specifically made reference to “the eternal validity of the Seven Noahide Laws, a moral code for all of us regardless of religious faith.”
President George H.W. Bush (1989–1993) signed (NON-BINDING) Public Law 102-14 in 1991, and issued proclamations such as Proclamation 5956 in 1989, which again mentioned the Noahide Laws as a basis for moral conduct.
President Bill Clinton (1993–2001) following suit concerning the tradition of ‘Education Day’ with numerous annual proclamations, again with mentions of Schneerson’s promotion of universal ethics within the so-called ‘Noahide Laws’.
President George W. Bush (2001–2009) issued annual declarations concerning ‘Education Day’, implying proper education and morality being tied to Schneerson’s doctrine, which includes the ‘Noahide Laws’.
President Barack Obama (2009–2017) continued to maintain the tradition of these annual ‘Education Day’ declarations, once again implying the connection of education and community values to the principles contained within the Noahide Laws, although mentioning them less specifically.
President Donald Trump (2017–2021) signed the ‘Education Day declarations every year during his first term. While the Noahide Laws weren’t always specifically mentioned every year, honoring Menachem Schneerson and his doctrinal stance in this regard was very much part and parcel to this annual declarations.
President Donald Trump (2025-2026) signed Proclamation 10916 on April 9th of 2025 and another on March 28th, 2026 celebrating Menachem Schneerson’s birthday under the guise of ‘Education and Sharing Day U.S.A., with emphasis on education, character and values.
But what about the rumored tradition contained within this Talmudic writings that state certain violations of the Noahide Laws are punishable by death?
In the opinion of some of the ancient sages, the answer to that question is yes,
In the opinion of many other sages down through the ages, the answer to that question is no.
And remember, these annual proclamations by sitting Presidents down through the years are NON-BINDING PROCLAMATIONS, NON-BINDING RESOLUTIONS AND NON-BINDING PUBLIC LAW, VIOLATIONS OF WHICH CARRY NO PENALTY OR PUNISHMENT.
RECOGNITION OF THESE SO-CALLED ‘NOAHIDE LAWS’ BY LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES THROUGH THESE PROCLATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS HAS BEEN AND IS MERELY SYMBOLIC WITH NO LEGAL ENFORCEMENT.
