Minimalist

I’ve had a few people refer to my approach to the seven laws as minimalist. This is not a compliment or a simple observation. What has happened in these cases is that they have adopted the book, usually “The Divine Code,” and its author, rabbi Moshe Weiner, as the highest authority regarding the commandments Gentiles have to follow. As I wrote about in my project concerning his book, he creates something called “the Noahide code,” a moral code that expands upon the seven laws for non-Jewish humanity, adding details not originally in the seven as if they are part of the seven laws, and also including other laws and obligations the rabbi views as rational, stating what is “commanded” and “forbidden” outside of the seven laws, as an authority, outside his jurisdiction.

So these followers look at their “noahide code,” see an approach like mine that rejects Weiner’s additions as authoritative, and calls it “minimalist.”

For now, it’s an impasse. I won’t accept Weiner’s “noahide code” and they look down on my approach. It is not as bulky and as detailed as theirs. It doesn’t have the stamp of approval of their rabbi or even a rabbi. I am a ronin of sorts, a Gentile with no rabbi. That position would could cause some religious “noahides” to gasp. The so called “noahide movement” has, for all intents and purposes, become a branch of the religion of Judaism, where Gentiles, yes Gentiles not Jews, are expected to have a rabbi and be taught by him. In my mind, that seems so wrong, so unnatural, for people of other non-Jewish tribes, to seek constant or consistent tutelage from a Jewish judge/teacher, from a foreigner. If they have some tradition for us, shouldn’t they give us what is for us and then let us get on with it?

Anyway, I’m getting distracted. From now on I’m going to have to start to respond in kind to people who feel the need to wave their knowing or unknowing sense of superiority in my face. If they are going to be secure their view and describe my stance as minimalist, I should be secure in my view and describe their position in light of my outlook.

So the new and improved conversation will go as follows.

Noahide (follower of The Divine Code or some sort of “Reform Noahide”): Oh, so you have such a minimalist view of the noahide code. Me: Oh, so you feel the need to enable a rabbi who adds to God’s law for Gentiles? Didn’t Maimonides teach that we should keep the seven laws without adding to it? Doesn’t the Torah and Shelomo (Solomon) warn not to add to God’s word so that you don’t be found to be a liar?

But, David, that’s just gonna stir contention and strife.

Odd, isn’t it? When they misrepresent my view, no objection, no warnings about contention and strife. When I give as good as I get, then there’s concern about contention and strife.

*sigh*

Maybe I should be nicer. But how? Why? Pursuing peace? A soft answer dispelling anger? Sometimes I feel that the longer I have to deal with people, the less patience I have.