Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 9

Sugya Map

Issue

Rambam's enumeration of the six initial Mitzvot Bnei Noach given to Adam, distinct from the seven mitzvot commonly attributed to Bnei Noach by the Sages.¹

Nafka Mina

Understanding the historical development and sources of the Mitzvot Bnei Noach, particularly the inclusion of Ever Min HaChai for Adam.

Primary Sources

Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 9:1; Genesis 2:24; Genesis 9:4; Sanhedrin 56a; Bereishit Rabbah 17:5.

Text Snapshot

"Six precepts were commanded to Adam... The prohibition against eating flesh from a living animal was added for Noah, as Genesis 9:4 states: 'Nevertheless, you may not eat flesh with its life, which is its blood.' Thus there are seven mitzvot."²

Dikduk/Leshon Nuance

The Rambam's precise phrasing "נצטוה אדה"ר" (Adam was commanded) for the initial six, followed by "הוסיף לנח" (added for Noah) for Ever Min HaChai, implies a distinct historical tzivui (commandment) rather than a retroactive application.

Readings

Tziunei Maharan

Highlights that Rambam's six mitzvot for Adam are sourced from specific Midrashim (e.g., Bereishit Rabbah 17:5, 24:5), which state Adam received only six, contrasting with the Gemara's seven for Bnei Noach.³

Yad Eitan

Discusses the Kessef Mishneh's difficulty with the Rambam's position that Ever Min HaChai was merely an asmachta (rabbinic support for a pre-existing concept) for Adam, suggesting Rambam aligns with Midrashim that explicitly limit Adam's commandments to six.⁴

Friction

Kushya

How does the Rambam state Adam received six mitzvot when the Gemara in Sanhedrin 56a explicitly lists seven mitzvot for Bnei Noach, including Ever Min HaChai?

Terutz

The Rambam follows a midrashic tradition that distinguishes the tzivui to Adam from that to Noach. While the chiyuv of Ever Min HaChai ultimately applies to all Bnei Noach (including Adam's descendants), its explicit commandment as a formal mitzvah was specific to Noach.⁵

Intertext

• "שבע מצוות נצטוו בני נח" (Seven mitzvot were commanded to Noachides) [Sanhedrin 56a]. This is the classical source for the seven.
• "מה אדם הראשון שנתתי לו שש מצות ולא קיים" (What of Adam the First, to whom I gave six mitzvot and he did not fulfill them) [Bereishit Rabbah 17:5]. This midrash directly supports Rambam's count.

Psak/Practice

The halakha l'maaseh is that all Bnei Noach are obligated in the seven mitzvot, including Ever Min HaChai. Rambam's historical distinction concerning Adam's initial tzivui does not alter the current chiyuv.⁶

Takeaway

Rambam's precise enumeration of Mitzvot Bnei Noach for Adam relies on specific midrashic traditions, demonstrating his rigorous, albeit sometimes nuanced, integration of diverse mesorot in his halakhic framework.

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¹ Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 9:1. ² Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 9:1. ³ Tziunei Maharan on Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 9:1:1 s.v. "על ששה דברים". ⁴ Yad Eitan on Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 9:1:1 s.v. "על ששה דברים נצטוה אדה"ר". ⁵ Tziunei Maharan on Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 9:1:1 s.v. "על ששה דברים נצטוה אדם הראשון". ⁶ Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 9:1.