Noahide Fellowship

Devarim: A Universal Code for All Nations

In this Torah portion, there is a verse from Parshat Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:5) that shows how important it is that the nations of the world study the Written Torah: “Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses undertook to explain this Torah”, meaning Moses explained it in 70 languages. The Gemara (Talmud Bavli, Sotah 35b) states that the nations of the world were obligated to learn the Written Torah, which was inscribed on plaster stones, but unfortunately they did not. 

According to Rashi (based on Midrashim), Moses expounded the Torah to them in seventy languages. That is, Moses our Teacher did not merely repeat the commandments and laws, but translated and interpreted them into the seventy languages of the world. The Gemara in Tractate Sotah 35b discusses an event related to the entry into the Land of Israel, where the Torah describes how the Israelites (Deuteronomy 27)  builded an altar from whole stones, plaster them, and inscribe upon them all the words of the Torah.

The Torah is not merely an ethical or religious code for a specific nation, but divine wisdom that pertains to all of humanity. The clear purpose was "so that every nation could learn Torah." That is, there was a divine intention to make the Torah accessible to all of humanity. This accessibility of the entire Written Torah, inscribed upon stones, was intended to enable the nations of the world to better understand and fulfill the Seven Noahide Laws, which are the universal obligations incumbent upon them. Knowing the Written Torah, provides a deeper and broader context for concepts of morality, justice, and belief in One G-d.

The Torah is universal and intended for all of humanity, and the nations of the world were (and still are) obligated to learn it. This could enhance their acceptance of the 7 Noahide commandments and thus, bring them immense reward.

This is a universal aim incumbent upon all human beings, to raise awareness of One G-d and refraining from idolatry. The entire purpose of creation, the reason why G-d created and continues to create the world every moment, is that He should be known. This knowledge of G-d is the ultimate goal of our existence. The core principle of faith and morality – to know that there is a primal Creator who is the source of all that exists in the heavens and on earth. 

Sources: Talmud Bavli, Sotah 35b. Deuteronomy 1:5. "Likutei Sichot" by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Volume 27, page 248. Deuteronomy 27.

Rabbi Moshe Bernstein is the author of the books: 

Light Onto the Nation. A Guide to the Seven Noahide Laws 

Light Onto the Torah Portions 

Insights on the Torah portions for Noahides.

Stories of Faith for Noahides: Inspiring Stories for Noahides from the Righteous of all Generations