בס”ד
Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah (Laws of Kings 8:10–11) states that the Torah and its commandments were given to Jews and those who convert. On the other hand, it mandates that all of humanity should follow the universal code, the Seven Noahide Laws because it was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai.
This raises a question: If these universal 7 laws are moral, why isn’t it enough for a non-Jew to follow them based on their own conscience or intellect? Why must a non-Jew explicitly follow them because G-d commanded them through Moses at Mt. Sinai?
The answer lies in the transformative shift initiated at Mt. Sinai. The Torah was given to the Jewish people to bridge the gap between the spiritual and physical worlds, elevating all of existence. This huge task requires everyone’s cooperation. It’s not just about good behavior; it’s about making all of creation reflect its divine essence.
For this universal code to truly convey G-d’s absolute power, it must be followed with the conscious intent of fulfilling G-d’s will. Without this intention, good deeds might become merely selfishly driven, losing their true power. When acted upon with this awareness of connecting to the Divine plan, even the smallest good deed gains immense spiritual significance.
While the Jewish people received the Torah’s direct charge, they need to partner with all humanity to achieve its full impact. Therefore, the nations do have an active part in fulfilling the divine will, to create a dwelling place for G-d in this lower world. The Ten Commandments were given in all seventy languages, to show that the Mount Sinai revelation of the Torah has universal relevance for everyone. The acceptance of the Torah paves the way to bridge the gap between humankind and the infinite greatness of the Almighty.
Sources: Laws of Kings 8:10–11. Likkutei Sichot 20:140– 141. Likkutei Sichot 4:1094.
By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein
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