Yesodei ha Torah (Rambam) Also important for the Noahides.

Yesodei ha Torah, the opening section of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon's (Rambam) Mishneh Torah, lays the foundation of the Jewish faith. Although this work is primarily focused on Israel, Chapter 1 contains universal truths that are also deeply meaningful to Noahides. The chapter does not deal with rituals or specific commandments, but with the essence of what it means to believe in one G'd.

For a Noahide, this chapter provides a pure, clear foundation: who G'd is, who He is not, and how a person relates to Him inwardly.

The Rambam begins with a powerful statement: the foundation of all wisdom is knowing that a First Being exists. This Being is not merely the first in a series, but the cause of all existence.

Everything we know, the heavens, the earth, the laws of nature, time, space, and life exist only because G'd continually makes existence possible. Without Him, nothing could continue to exist.

This means that G'd is not part of the universe. And He is not subject to the laws of nature.

He is not a force within creation, but the source of creation.

This is also essential for Noahides: G'd is not an abstract idea or spiritual energy, but a truly existing, necessary Being.

You can see that the Rambam makes a sharp distinction between G'd and everything that is created. Everything in creation is dependent. Something can exist, but does not have to exist. G'd, on the other hand, must exist. Even if you imagine that everything would disappear, He would continue to exist. But if G'd did not exist, nothing else could exist.

One of the most important points in this chapter is G'ds unity. He is not one as an object is one, nor is He one as a species or category is one.

G'd is absolutely one, not composite, not divisible, and not plural.

Any form of multiplicity implies boundaries, and boundaries belong to created things. Because G'd is unlimited, He cannot consist of parts.

This means that there are no multiple divine powers, nor are there any intermediate beings that have divine status. Nor may any creature be worshipped.

The Rambam strongly emphasizes that G'd has no body, no form, and no physical attributes. The body implies place, dimensions, change, and limitation, all of which are incompatible with G'ds infinity.

When the Torah speaks of G'ds hand, G'ds eyes, or G'ds anger, these are metaphors. The Torah speaks in human language because otherwise we humans would not be able to understand it.

This prevents two major errors:

1. Imagining G'd as a superhuman.

2. Reducing G'd to a force of nature.

This is a protection against idolatry in all its forms.

The Rambam also explains that prophets see visions in images that fit their understanding and their time. One prophet sees G'd as a warrior, another as a King or Judge.

These images say nothing about G'ds essence, but about the message that was conveyed and the human language of prophecy.

G'd Himself remains beyond any representation.

Even Moshe, the greatest prophet, could not fully understand G'ds essence. When he asked, “Show me Your glory,” he was asking for the deepest possible insight into G'ds existence.

The Eternal One showed him as much as a human being can understand, but also set a limit. This teaches man that G'd is knowable, but never fully comprehensible.

For Noahides, this is liberating. Faith does not require complete intellectual mastery, but reverence and recognition.

G'd is also unchanging. He does not become angry today and happy tomorrow. Change belongs to beings who are influenced by circumstances.

When the Holy Scriptures speak of G'ds anger or joy, they describe the effect of human actions, not an inner change in G'd Himself.

This means that G'd is reliable, that His justice is constant, and that His truth does not fluctuate.

What can this chapter of the Rambam mean for Noahides in practical terms?

Yesodei ha Torah is not an abstract philosophy. It forms an attitude toward life: serve only the One G'd, avoid all forms of idolatry, including mental idolatry. Live with humility toward the Creator. Seek truth, justice, and moral purity, and recognize your place as a creature, not as the center of attention.

The Seven Noahide Laws rest on this foundation. Without a pure understanding of G'd, ethics loses its anchor. Yesodei ha Torah Chapter 1 does not teach us what G'd looks like, but who He is and, above all, who He is not. It purifies faith of images, projections, and misunderstandings.

For the Noahide, this chapter provides a stable foundation on which to build a righteous life. Rooted in truth, reverence, and connection to the One Creator of all.

Written by Marco Verhaar

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