Natural Law and the Jewish Hălāḵâ: Are the Noahide Mitzvot an Example of Reason Revelled Universal Moral Laws in Rabbinic Judaism?

Abstract

This paper will look at the relationship between Natural Law and The Halacha, the moral code of Rabbinic Judaism. Just as it happens with Sunni Islam, the general opinion among scholars is that natural morality is a concept alien to the Judaic religion and its law. However, the most fervent defender of natural morality in Judaism, David Novak, has argued and continues to argue that there is a basis of Natural Law thinking underneath the mitzvot of the Jewish Halacha. In this article, we will look at how some of the language used in the Talmud and in Maimonide’s Mishneh Torah corroborates Novak’s claims that the Mishnaic Noahite Laws may have a Natural Law a priori motivation.

Keywords: Halacha, Noahite Laws, Revealed Law, Natural Law, Mishnah, Talmud, Torah, Mishneh Torah, Rabbinic Judaism, Maimonides