Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we've received. If you have a question that isn't answered here, or you'd like more information, please contact us.

What is the purpose of this Council?
To help spread the authentic faith in God and the knowledge and practice of His Seven Fundamental Commandments to mankind, and to help promote the education, unification, and edification of Noahides and Noahide Communities around the world. This mission will help to bring about the fulfillment of the words of the prophet: "For then will I return to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of Hashem, to serve him with one consent." (Zephaniah 3:9)
How was the Council conceived and why?
The idea for the Council was first conceived by Rabbi Avraham Toledano. He, as well as many others, understood that B'nei Noah, like Jews, need a body of recognized leaders and scholars to whom they can turn for guidance in their study and observance of Torah, and who can help to unify the communities around the world. To this end, suitable candidates were sought out who would be willing and able to establish such a body. These nominees were brought together in mid-2005 by the personal invitation of, and under the supervision of an authorized representative of the "Sanhedrin" organization, forming a proto-Noahide Council. The founding proto-Council members then appeared before a rabbinical court of more than 23 Rabbis, in Jerusalem, on January 9, 2006 (9 Tevet, 5766), and upon stating a special pledge of allegiance to the Noahide Covenant, they were granted official recognition as the first "High Council of B'nei Noah".
What power or authority does the Council have?
The Council is not a beit din (court of judges), and does not have any legal (halakhic) power to make rulings. Rather, it is an autonomous body of Noahide leaders and scholars, working with the guidance and supervision of the rabbinical court for Noachides, in Jerusalem, to promote the education, unification, and edification of Noahides and Noahide Communities around the world.
Did the members elect themselves?
No. The current members of the Council were personally invited to take part in this endeavor. However, the members of the Council were not "ordained." Rather, having been invited to participate, they agreed to work together to establish this Council.
How does one go about becoming a member of this Council?
It should be noted that this effort is organic and in the developmental stages. The initial members of this Council were selected because these Noahides demonstrated a love for God, His Torah and the people of Israel. Each is known for possessing a solid grasp of basic Torah, the Seven Laws and their observance, and has a talent suited for the primary goals of the Council. Any Noahide who wishes to make a positive contribution to the Council and has the time and resources to devote to this endeavor can be, after a trial period, voted onto the Council. They should express their desire in a letter to the Council. All solicitations will be seriously considered, based on the needs of the Council and their understanding of the needs of the the greater Noahide community. A new member must also be willing to appear in Jerusalem, and make the B'nei Noah pledge.
The council membership is heavily American. Won't this affect its work as a global organization?
It is true that the initial membership of the Council contains mostly Americans. However, the membership of the Council is not static, and thus will continue to evolve. The Council needs members from all over the world, of every different language and nationality, who are Torah-observant B’nei Noah, and is currently seeking such individuals.
You mention education as a goal. Why can’t I just learn from my local rabbi?
You may, and should. On a practical level, however, your local rabbi may have his hands full simply addressing the needs of his own community. But, that does not relieve him or his community of their obligation to fulfill the mission the Jewish people were given at Sinai (i.e. to be "a light to the nations"). They should welcome Noahides who genuinely wish to learn Torah. The Council will strive to, God willing, provide methods and tools to bring Noahides and Jews together in Torah learning. In addition, we plan to help locate rabbis and/or Noahide teachers for those who are unable to find such resources locally.
Don't your stated goals sound like missionizing as practiced by other religious groups?
Our primary goal is to spread the knowledge of God and His Torah. Just as Jewish organizations reach out to fellow Jews to bring them back to the true path of Torah, we see it as our obligation - a mitzvah - to reach out to the rest of humanity, the descendants of Noah. We must make non-Jews aware of the Covenant that the Creator made with the father of all humanity - Noah - and that his descendents are bound to keep it for all time. In the same way that it is prohibited from putting a stumbling block before the blind, it is a positive precept to remove stumbling blocks that already exist.

The story of the prophet Yonah is a prime example of Hashem’s love for humanity, His desire that all humanity serve Him, and our obligation to spread the light of Torah to those in the darkness. God’s judgment against Yonah, for refusing to warn the non-Jews of Nineveh, should serve as a lesson that possessing knowledge does not permit one to withhold it, allowing the world to pass into darkness.

The patriarch Avraham is our primary model for outreach. He is the first one in history to actively seek out others, and inform them of the existence of the Single Creator, who sustains the world and communicates His wisdom to mankind. Avraham’s acts of kindness, hospitality, generosity, and overall outreach merited that he be called the Pillar of the World, and become the progenitor of the Jewish People who were given the Divine mission to spread the Light of Torah to the world.