Transcript of the video:

Maintaining a civilized society plays a central role in G-d’s Divine plan for creation – “G-d did not create for there to be chaos, but for peaceful settlement.” This purpose lies at the heart of the Seven Noahide Laws. These laws preceded even the Giving of the Torah; G-d’s command to Mankind to create a civilized society pre-dates the separation of Jew and non-Jew – certainly before it was complete, and perhaps even before it began.

It is clear, then, that many teachings in Torah also speak to non-Jews, even if the teachings are not clearly included in the verses that discuss the Seven Noahide Laws. The general rule is: If it is a matter which speaks to human understanding, to the innate moral reasoning that G-d grants every human being, then it applies to a non-Jew as well. G-d created all of Mankind with this intelligence, in the Mishna’s words: “Beloved is man, for he was created in G-d’s image” – and only afterwards, does it say, “Beloved are the Jewish People…” in a separate passage. So Torah’s rational morals are expected of non-Jews as well, how much more so the Seven Noahide Laws themselves. This includes the obligation to establish a judicial system, to influence their fellow human beings to observe these laws in all their details.

This mission was given to non-Jews at the Giving of the Torah, at that historic moment when G-d broke the barrier between Heaven and Earth. And He commanded the Jews as well, and empowered them, to influence all Mankind to fulfill their obligations; indeed, these laws are not “secondary” rather they lie at the heart of all civilized life, G-d’s vision for creation. Thus one can appreciate the critical nature and great reward of their observance. “G-d does not withhold the reward of any creature”; how much more so for Man, who is created in His image. It likewise follows that when a non-Jew carries out his mission, he must do so to the best of his individual ability, and to his full capacity. It further follows that every Jew is obligated to teach these laws to non-Jews – to those who are not fully aware of them, as well as to those who know nothing about them at all. This is an essential component of a Jew’s life-task and personal wholeness, and of the completion of the world. The creation will only be complete when “I shall call out to all nations, to serve G-d with single purpose,” and only then “will G-d reign,” as Maimonides writes in his code of Jewish law, in the laws of the Messianic Era. If this “call to the nations” is to be effective and prompt, it must be preceded by appropriate preparation. And the preparation is a life lived according to the Seven Noachide Laws. This will enable the nations to receive and heed G-d’s call when it comes – speedily, and then immediately “G-d will reign.”

It is thus an appropriate time to once again urge the endeavor to disseminate the Seven Noachide Laws. And although they appear to be mainly prohibitions, they include within them many positive obligations as well, as discussed in the Talmud, Tractate Sanhedrin. And just as a Jew fulfills all other commandments that constitute his lifelong mission, this, too, must be carried out fully and joyfully. Maimonides writes that through one solitary commandment – which includes this commandment as well – one can bring about salvation for the entire world – not only his own personal redemption but redemption for all of Mankind. In this mission every individual must contribute according to his abilities. It follows, then, that someone with influence in higher circles cannot discharge his obligation by merely speaking to his local neighbors. Rather, he must utilize his contacts to the utmost, particularly with those who can influence many others. “G-d does not demand from an individual more than he can do.” Certainly G-d will grant him the strength to succeed not only with himself and his immediate environment, but also with those in the nation’s capital, and all its government leaders.

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