BLESSING OR CURSE: DOES IT ALSO APPLY TO NOAHIDES?

בס "ד

EIN GEDANKE ÜBER PARSHAT KI TAVO 5785

A Reflection on Parshat Tavo and Universal Responsibility

In Parshat Tavo (Deuteronomy 26–29), we read about the blessings and curses that the people of Israel receive upon entering the Land of Israel. If the people follow G-d’s commandments, blessings will follow. If they do not, serious consequences will ensue—both spiritual and material.

These principles of reward and punishment raise an important question:
Do they also apply to non-Jews, specifically those who observe the Seven Universal Noahide Laws?

The Universal Principle of Reward and Punishment

The answer is clear: yes.
Whoever does good receives good. Whoever does evil will face consequences. This is a universal moral principle. It aligns with the understanding that G-d is not only the Creator but also a Judge and Witness, as Pirkei Avot 2:1 teaches:

“Know what is above you: an eye that sees, an ear that hears, and all your deeds are written in a book.”

This awareness helps every person take responsibility. Ideally, it should grow into doing G-d’s will out of love, not merely out of fear (see also our blog: The Five Levels of Fearing G-d).

For Noahides: A Unique but Important Role

Die Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Melachim 10:9–10) clearly states that non-Jews are not to randomly adopt mitzvot. They are not obligated to keep the 613 commandments of the Torah. Instead, they are responsible for observing the Seven Noahide Laws, universal moral guidelines that apply to all humanity.

At the same time, halacha makes space for voluntarily observing certain commandments, provided that:

• it is not a mitzvah exclusively meant for Jews (e.g., observing Shabbat);
• it is not done as a religious obligation or as a substitute for Judaism;
• it is performed out of love for G-d and with proper awareness.

Dama ben Netina: Honoring Parents Rewarded

A beautiful example is Dama ben Netina, a non-Jew who honored his father with deep respect. When he was offered a large sum of money for a rare gem, he refused to sell it because the key to the chest was under his sleeping father’s pillow. G-d rewarded him with a red heifer—a rare and spiritually significant offering for the Jewish people.

The sages concluded:

“If someone who is not obligated in a commandment is rewarded like this, how much more so someone who is obligated.” (Kiddushin 31a)

Although honoring one’s parents is not explicitly part of the Seven Noahide Laws, it is logically derived from the duty to maintain a just and ethical society.

Greater Reward for the Obligated

Rabbi Chanina teaches:

“Greater is the one who is commanded and fulfills, than one who is not commanded and fulfills.”
(Kiddushin 31a)

A commandment requires more dedication. Nevertheless, voluntarily doing good is also recognized and rewarded—if done within the proper framework.

Different Levels of Reward

Die Rambam (Maimonides) distinguishes between:

• A non-Jew who observes the Seven Laws because G-d commanded them through Moses at Sinai:
  • is called a Chassid Umot HaOlam (a righteous gentile)
  • has a share in the World to Come (Sanhedrin 105a)
• A non-Jew who observes the laws only out of personal ethical understanding:
  • receives reward in this world or the afterlife after the end of his physical life, or both.
  • but does nicht merit the eternal reward of the World to Come, because that is obtained only by virtue of submitting one’s actions to the will of G-d.¹

As the Rambam puts it:

“He has performed good deeds, but has not connected himself to the Torah of Moses—the Tree of Life.”

Examples of Permissible Mitzvot for Noahides

Nach Angaben von Der göttliche Kodex (Part 1, Chapter 3), a non-Jew may perform certain commandments that offer practical or moral benefit. We could, for example, consider:

• Honoring parents (reinforcing natural gratitude and respect)
• Acts of kindness beyond strict obligation (e.g., visiting the sick)
• Shiluach ha-ken (sending away the mother bird — compassion for animals)

As long as the intention is not to create a new religion, they receive Heavenly reward for these good deeds.

What Is Not Permitted?

Die Mishneh Torah (Melachim 10:9) is strict about prohibited practices:

• Observing Shabbat or a religious day of rest as a religious obligation
• Inventing new religious commandments
• Studying the entire Torah, including its theoretical aspects, rather than maintaining focus on the Seven Noahide Laws
• Undergoing circumcision as a religious obligation (permitted only as a voluntary offering to G-d)

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l wrote powerfully that a non-Jew who takes on Jewish commandments as a religious duty:

“…receives no reward, but commits a transgression—for he is creating a new religion.” (Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim II:25)

Blessing and Curse: Also for the Nations

Just as Parshat Tavo speaks of blessing and curse for Israel, the same universal principle applies to all nations:

• Those who strive for justice, truth, and goodness receive G-d’s blessing.
• Those who willfully commit evil, oppress others, or cause destruction fall under G-d’s judgment.

In the story of Jonah (Chapters 1–2), we see that even the non-Jewish sailors and the people of Nineveh are heard by G-d when they turn to Him in repentance. This shows His universal justice and mercy.

The Deepest Reward: Improving the World

Pirkei Avot 4:2 teaches:

“The reward of a mitzvah is another mitzvah.”

The greatest reward for doing good is the opportunity to do even more good. By acting righteously, we help build a world where G-d’s presence can dwell—a world of peace, compassion, and truth.

Serving with Joy: The Key to Connection

Parshat Tavo (Deuteronomy 28:47) warns:

“Because you did not serve G-d with joy and a good heart…”

Die Lubawitscher Rebbe erklärt:
Service of G-d must not only be correct—it must be joyful. Holy joy connects us to something eternal and gives life meaning.

As the Psalms say:

“Great peace have those who love Your Torah; nothing causes them to stumble.”
(Tehillim 119:165)

Conclusion: Everyone’s Role Matters

Whether you are Jewish or a Noahide, your choices matter.
Blessing or curse, reward or loss—it all depends on how and why we act.

When we fulfill our role as G-d asks—with joy, dedication, and awareness—we help create a world where His presence becomes tangible.
And that is the greatest blessing of all.

Von Angelique Sijbolts
With thanks to Rabbi Tani Burton for the feedback

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1. The Divine Code written by Rabbi Moshe Weiner. Introductions p. 29 ↩︎