Chabad Tokyo Japan

Our Torah portion brings a story that is related to one of the essential Noahide commandments. The son of an Israelite woman, who was also the son of an Egyptian man, found himself in a conflict with an Israelite man within the camp. As a result, he got very angry and blasphemed the Divine Name. The Lord then gave Moses specific instructions: the one who had cursed was to be taken outside the camp. Finally, he was stoned to death. Moses warns that anyone who curses G-d will face the penalty of death. (Leviticus 24:10-17).

Blasphemy refers to the act of insulting, showing contempt, or lacking reverence towards judges in Noahide courts as well. Anger and arrogance can potentially lead to actions or words that might be considered blasphemous. For example, in a fit of anger, someone might utter words that are disrespectful to G-d. Arrogance might lead an individual to make claims or statements that could also be dishonoring. The Bible teaches us against behaviors like anger and slander, which could be associated with blasphemy. Guarding your speech is very crucial: Proverbs 13:3 advises: “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life.”

The sin of blasphemy carries the possibility of capital punishment by speech alone, even without action, as it is considered a criminal act by uttering alone. Gentiles are commanded to fear and honor God.
The primary reason for the prohibition of blasphemy is the obligation to honor and fear God.

There are also some anti-religious ideologies, like atheism or communism, that express forms of blasphemy. They might criticize or mock belief in the creator of all. Some philosophies are considered as such as well.
The completeness of the Holy Name of G-d will appear at redemption when Amalek will be eradicated and the divine presence will be fully revealed.

*This is from a series of articles by Rabbi Bernstein Moshe.

The concept of “G d desiring to have a dwelling place in the lower worlds” is a profound idea. During the giving of the Torah, G d allowed the lower and higher realms to connect. This enabled humanity to fulfill the purpose for which G d created the world: to create a dwelling place for Him in the physical realm through every human being that accepts the yoke of heaven. What does it mean to accept the yoke of heaven?

The phrase “dwelling place” refers to a place where G d’s presence can be felt and experienced. The lower worlds represent our physical reality, where we face challenges, make choices, and strive to elevate our actions. By performing the 7 commandments and acts of kindness, we create a “dwelling place” for G d in our everyday lives. Our actions reveal His presence. Our world, with its challenges and imperfections, provides us with the wonderful opportunity to choose goodness, connect ourselves with the infinite essence of the creator, and elevate the mundane. In doing so, we make a dwelling place for G d.
Each of us, man and woman, has a role in making the world a dwelling place for G d and this is the ultimate meaning of life.

When we transform our lives through positive deeds, we reveal G d’s presence in our world. But there is no void in spirituality. If the good is missing, all the dark forces and bad attitudes might get into our lives. So we must fill ourselves constantly with the pure content of the wisdom of G-d as reflected in the seven Noahide commandments.

We need to keep in mind that a servant of the king is close to the king. This is the meaning of accepting the yoke of heaven. Even though we cannot understand everything because we are limited creatures, we trust G-d that He will give us the best way, as He is the ultimate good. If someone offered you closeness to the greatest king of kings, would you accept it? By observing the seven Noahide laws in our daily lives, we deserve the ultimate gift of closeness to G-d by fulfilling His commandments.

*This is from a series of articles by Rabbi Bernstein Moshe.