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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.

The eighth day of Pesach is traditionally associated with our hopes for the coming of Moshiach. About two hundred and fifty years ago, the Baal Shem Tov revealed that on that day a special divine light is revealed in the festive meal of Moshiach.

The twelfth article of Rambam’s thirteen principles of faith is “I believe with perfect faith in the coming of Moshiach. Even if he delays, I will wait every day for him to come.” Though all believers accept this principle, for many, the concept of Moshiach remains an abstraction. Partaking of Moshiach’s Seudah reinforces our belief in this principle, translating our awareness of Moshiach into a meal, a physical experience that leads us to associate this concept with our daily lives.

The Baal Shem Tov’s linking of our awareness of Moshiach to the physical is significant because it prepares us for the revelations of the era of redemption. Our generation has been charged with the responsibility of making all Jews and Noahides aware of Moshiach, In general, we need to strive for the time when the entire world will accept the Noahide laws. This time is not so far. Then a new era will start, The resurrection of the dead.

The reward of the resurrection of the dead is so enormous we cannot grasp even a small part of it. Both Jews and non-Jews will have to deserve this reward and fulfilling the commandments of G-d can ensure this reward. However, there might be good deeds that could make one eligible for this reward, such as a real act of mercy. This applies to men and women. So, there might be individuals who do not deserve it but because of an exceptional good deed, they might get it.

Let’s add more good deeds and bring more G-dly light to the entire world.

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

Passover is a major Jewish holiday that specifically celebrates the Exodus. The Passover Seder retells the story and symbolically relives the experience of liberation from Egypt. It serves as a powerful way to connect with the deep message of going out of our limitations (represented by Egypt) and keeping the meaning of Exodus alive for the current generation.

Exodus represents liberation from oppression. The Israelites were freed from physical slavery in Egypt, but it also signifies a deeper spiritual liberation—from sin, idol worship, fear, and limitations. The plagues and parting of the Red Sea are seen as miracles that demonstrate G-d’s power and his commitment to his people, as well as his power to all nations.

The Exodus story serves as an inspiration to overcome challenges in our own lives. It reminds us that with faith and trust, even seemingly big obstacles can be overcome. We all need to be “freed” from negative habits or mental limitations that may block our connection with G-d by fulfilling his commands. The Exodus story can also cultivate gratitude for our own freedom, abundance, and blessings.

The Exodus story transcends its historical context for Noahides. It offers a message of liberation and the importance of faith in almighty G-d who can redeem us in any situation. This has a powerful significance in the global situation where anyone understands that only a redemption by Moshiach can bring a message of hope and guidance in our own daily lives to the entirety of humanity.

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

Can we say that we live with an upside-down perception of reality? This is one of the deepest topics in the Torah. It is said in the Talmud tractate Bava Batra 10. b that one of the big sages was in a condition of clinical death so his soul rose to heaven. There he saw that those who were considered not honorable in this world but were righteous were very important to G-d almighty on the other hand those who were considered very strong and wealthy in this world but were sinners were considered not important in the eyes of G-d. So, this illusion exists in many realms and it might confuse some. However, things are judged by their value to G-d’s will, not necessarily by what common people usually think. It is obvious according to this rule that the importance of being Noahide is not judged by the number of Noahides worldwide but by their importance to G-d. The same goes for the Jewish people their importance is not judged by their number but by their role in the creation. not everything perceived in this world as very important is really important and vice versa.

Being in this physical world in a physical body could be extremely beneficial, nevertheless, the soul can be harmed by the physical body it is clothed in case of a sin. The soul might gain some spiritual dirt in this world, however, if she passes the test and does repent and come closer to Hashem then her retribution is eternal and infinite. Moses the prophet and his descendants are similar to the ground crew who operate the space crew, he gave us all the life-saving details we should fulfill. If we want our lives to be blessed with fulfillment and delight, we should observe the instructions that were given on Mount Sinai.

The fact that the Jewish people are attacked by the darkest forces on earth is because of its importance in the realm of holiness. Like insects who are attracted to a vessel full of honey but will not be attracted to an empty vessel, we see everyone is attracted to what is happening in the land of Israel. This is one of the signs of redemption that will be fulfilled by King Moshiach soon.

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