How Non-Jews Seeking God Can Discover the Truth of the Torah

First, let’s highlight the difference between Judaism and all other religions in terms of the afterlife.

Christianity claims that everyone who does not believe in it will face eternal damnation; Islam asserts the same about belief in Muhammad. These false religions condemn billions of people to endless cruelty in the afterlife, which proves their falsehood.

The truth is evident in the justice of Judaism: it is the only religion in the world that justly regards all humanity on Earth, teaching that all non-Jews have a share in the world to come, provided they are good and righteous.

Judaism stands out as a treasure; it does not seek to compel nations to believe in it, and only those who have searched for truth like a hidden treasure are rewarded. This contrasts with other religions that have sought to impose their beliefs through the sword.

Now, let’s ask the serious question: if right now, Hashem were to descend again on Mount Sinai to give the 613 commandments to the nations, would they desire His commandments and thank Him for them? Would Christians and Europeans be eager to give up pork, shrimp, interest, and prohibitions on touch and sight, and keep Shabbat without engaging in any work? Would Muslims be excited to wear *tzitzit* and *tefillin*, build *sukkot*, eat *matzah* on Passover, honor women as equals, and set fixed times for studying *Gemara* and *halacha* every day? For them, the Torah would feel like a physical and mental punishment they would not desire.

Rabbi Hasdai Karshkash, in *Otzar HaVikuchim*, emphasizes that Jews are distinct from non-Jews in all aspects of life: in their dress, speech, and study—whereas other religions do not change the behavior and lifestyle of their believers, who live “like a son without religion.”

The quality reveals the merchant. False religions like Christianity and Islam do not require significant changes in the lives of their believers, as they appeal to those who do not genuinely wish for change. Billions of non-Jews have believed in Christianity and Islam only because they were not interested in a true transformation of their lives for Hashem.

Moreover, their vile hatred of the Jewish people throughout history and in our time proves their rejection of the Torah and its commandments. They should have looked with great admiration at a people keeping the Torah of Hashem, wishing for closeness and wisdom, and emulating their morality.

"Hashem is a searcher of hearts, examining minds" (Jeremiah 17:10). He, Blessed Be He, knows the hearts of mankind; therefore, He does not reveal Himself to those who do not desire Him, and He does not command His commandments to nations not prepared to sacrifice for His closeness. The Jewish people are the only nation willing and yearning to uphold the Torah, responding in the most beautiful language: "All that Hashem has spoken, we will do and we will listen" (Exodus 24:7).

However, there is another answer to this question stemming from the measure of mercy of the Blessed Creator towards His creations. Our sages taught us that the nations were supposed to observe 30 commandments (Talmud, *Chulin* 82a), but in practice, they are only punished for the seven *Noachide* commandments, and even then, they neglect them!

Hashem does not wish to impose upon the nations commandments they will not uphold.

Let’s consider this question even in our time: do non-Jews truly and sincerely uphold the seven *Noachide* commandments imposed upon them? Do the Ismailite nations today refrain from shedding innocent blood, or do they murder innocent people out of hatred, revenge, conquests, and "family honor?" Do Christians and Europeans take care to maintain their modesty, or do they promote severe prohibitions of public immorality? Do Asians ensure they do not eat insects, violate the prohibition of *ever min ha-chai*, and worship false idols? Have countries in India and Africa established moral governments as required, doing justice between a person and their fellow, "You shall not show favoritism in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike" (Deuteronomy 1:17)—and caring for orphans and widows, or do such governments allow the wealthy and powerful to oppress and degrade the poor?

The answers to these questions are well known. When the nations are neglecting even the most basic seven commandments imposed upon them, why would Hashem command them hundreds of practical commandments they would not keep, and punish them for failing to observe them?

Thus, the Torah reports on the nations even during the conquest of the land: "Hear, O Israel: you are crossing today over the Jordan to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourself... Not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations Hashem, your God, is driving them out from before you, and that He may perform the word which Hashem swore to your fathers" (Deuteronomy 9).

Since Hashem saw that they did not want Him and His commandments, He did not give them the Torah but left them with the minimal requirements of the seven *Noachide* commandments, most of which deal with basic laws concerning interpersonal relationships.

That said, this does not mean that the nations will remain forever in their state.

After all, thanks to the publication of the Torah, there has been moral progress in the world compared to the past. Most nations have discarded their idolatrous beliefs and now believe in Hashem One. This process is meant to advance the world towards its redemption. The nations were not granted the Torah, but they will yet enjoy the light of the Torah when redemption comes to the world. Then they will recognize the importance of the Jewish people and learn from them. This will be a time of peace and material and spiritual prosperity, when nations will serve Hashem together:

"You will arise and show mercy to Zion, for the time to favor her has come... And the nations will see the name of Hashem and all the kings of the earth your glory, for Hashem will build Zion; He will appear in His glory... This will be written for the generation to come; and a nation created will praise Hashem... To declare in Zion the name of Hashem and His praise in Jerusalem, when the nations gather and kingdoms serve Hashem" (Psalms 102).

From here, it follows that the nations are indeed making slow but steady progress, yet Hashem will not overlook them. They too will have a part in the redemption of Israel and enjoy its fruits.

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How Non-Jews Seeking God Can Discover the Truth of the Torah

In the previous article, we learned that a non-Jew is not required to convert but only needs to observe the seven *Noachide* commandments and be an honest and upright person to merit a share in the world to come.

It is human nature that a farmer, in his essence and culture, wishes to live his life as a farmer and does not seek royal decorum and high education (and vice versa, a minister cannot tolerate the life of a farmer).

Everything was created by Hashem with wisdom. The world was created in the form of hierarchies, like a kingdom with subjects and ministers serving the king according to their various roles. Thus, the non-Jews are not in "competition" with the Jewish people, as they also have a necessity and role in divine creation according to their rank.

Non-Jews will not feel deprived in the world to come, for the same reason a small-minded person will not remain thirsty if given a small cup of water according to their needs.

Joining the Jewish people requires an exceptional choice on the part of a non-Jew seeking God, who is not satisfied with the life of a farmer but wants to be close to the King of Kings.

Accepting the commandments is a tremendous responsibility upon which the world stands: "Thus says Hashem, if My covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth" (Jeremiah 33:25)!

A farmer may neglect his role and cause minimal harm to the kingdom, but a minister neglecting their duties improperly harms the entire realm. The greater the responsibility, the greater the reward and punishment.

It is understood that there is no notion of "racism" in Judaism, as any non-Jew can convert, accept the yoke of the Torah and commandments, and become a Jew in every way if they truly desire it.

The Torah does not reject Europeans, Chinese, or Africans based on their origins. On the contrary: the Torah commands to love all converts and not to discriminate against them adversely: "You shall love the stranger" (Deuteronomy 10:19), "Do not oppress or mistreat a stranger" (Exodus 22:20).

But how can non-Jews seeking God know the Torah of Israel?

The *Gemara* states: "Rabbi Eleazar ben P'dat said: Hashem did not exile Israel among the nations, but to add converts to them" (Pesachim 87b).

The Jewish people are scattered to all corners of the globe, precisely as prophesied by the Torah 3,300 years ago. Since being dispersed more than any other nation, they became known throughout the world. Through the exile, all nations have gained acquaintance with the chosen people and the Torah of truth.

Let’s ask, is there a possibility today for a person in the world to seriously engage with the subject of religion and God and not be requested, above all, to become acquainted with the Torah book of Israel? After all, the Torah is the most printed and famed book on planet Earth, and no book has had a greater impact on humanity than it. Indeed, the two largest religions in the world claim to base themselves on it as their divine source that preceded them; furthermore, the Torah revealed to humanity the concept of monotheism (the belief in an eternal and infinite God who created the world). Before the publication of the Torah of Israel in the world, all nations worshiped tangible idols and icons!

Therefore, any non-Jew wishing to engage in religious matters and God will first arrive at the source, the Torah of Israel, and through it will recognize the religion that revealed to the world the one God who created the heavens and the earth.

When they do so, they will soon be exposed to the immense and unique divine revelation in human history: the ten plagues, which were miracles at a terrestrial level, proving Hashem's control over all forces of nature (and not as the small tricks of a magician or sorcerer performing feats before individuals, but rather divine control over millions of creatures simultaneously), and of course the monumental divine revelation that took place at Mount Sinai before three million people, where the entire nation was like prophets hearing the voice of Hashem speaking to them from the fire, an event unparalleled in any other religion in the world. There are simply no "competitors" to the Torah of Israel among world religions.

Hashem caused His Torah to be publicized throughout the world, thus giving every non-Jew interested in it the possibility to recognize the Torah of truth, if they truly wish. And then they will surely merit divine assistance, as our sages said: "In the way that a person wishes to go, they are led" (Makkot 10b), "If one comes to be impure, they open the door for him; if one comes to purify himself, they help him" (Shabbat 24a).

"Hashem looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any that are wise, that seek God" (Psalms 14:2)

It is a fact that many non-Jews have converted and joined the Jewish people throughout the generations, the most famous of whom is Ruth the Moabite, from whom was chosen none other than David, King of Israel, from whom the Messiah will also come; there were also great Tana'im and Amora'im who were descendants of converts, and the door remained open without discrimination for those who desire closeness to Hashem.

Those who listen to the famous conversion stories in our generation will repeatedly notice two recurring details in their narratives: their genuine love for truth and the hand of divine providence that directed them through many "coincidences" and clever arrangements to reach our holy Torah.

Thus, Hashem did not malign the nations; He gave them commandments only according to their roles and desires in creation (their desires—because He did not impose commandments that they do not wish for, compelling them only to the seven minimal commandments necessary for fixing the world), but He also did not discriminate against individuals who wish for closeness—because He granted them the opportunity to convert and join the everlasting people.