The entire Torah is filled with information relevant to Noahides – both to teach us our Seven Laws, and also to show us wise practices that can improve our lives. However, it is often hard to see this information. So, in this series of articles, I will attempt to point out areas of Noahide interest in the weekly Torah Portions.
In Parshah Noach, we read:
Now the earth was corrupt before God, and the earth became full of violence.
Bereishit (Genesis) 6:11
Many translations render this as “…and the earth became full of robbery.” But, the Hebrew uses the word חָמָֽס (Hamas / violence), not “robbery”.
Why the odd translation? This primarily comes from Rashi, who comments on the verse: “Robbery” [1]Rashi on Bereishit 6:11 – https://www.sefaria.org/Rashi_on_Genesis.6.11.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en.
So, what’s bothering Rashi? The text singles out “violence” as the cause of the flood – or, at the very least, the final straw that sealed that generation’s fate [2]Talmud Bavli, Sanhedrin 108a – https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.108a.12?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en. And, the sages teach us the principle that “there is no punishment without there first being a warning.”
But, where in the 7 Laws is there a warning against “violence”? We have a clear prohibition against murder – but that doesn’t preclude merely injuring another person.
And, I believe that’s the question Rashi is answering here – “Robbery.”
We can learn from this 2 things:
- Violence is robbery.
Injuring another person is forbidden under the Noahide prohibition against robbery. - Robbery is violence.
All acts of robbery are inherently acts of violence against another. Or, they at least contain the threat of such violence.
References
| ↑1 | Rashi on Bereishit 6:11 – https://www.sefaria.org/Rashi_on_Genesis.6.11.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en |
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| ↑2 | Talmud Bavli, Sanhedrin 108a – https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.108a.12?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en |
