In discussions of Torah and Jewish law, a fundamental but often overlooked distinction is this: not everything in the Tanakh is meant for everyone. While the Torah is the foundational text of the Jewish people, it contains both universal principles and covenantal commandments—and recognizing the difference is crucial for understanding Judaism’s ethical mission and spiritual identity.
A Covenant for Israel
The Torah is, first and foremost, the record of a covenant between God and the people of Israel. As such, many of its commandments (mitzvot)—such as keeping Shabbat, dietary laws (kashrut), the festivals, and ritual purity—were given specifically to the Jewish people. These laws function as both spiritual discipline and cultural identity, forging a distinct peoplehood consecrated for divine service.
This covenant is echoed throughout the Tanakh. In Exodus 19:5-6, God proclaims: “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” This was not a blanket command to all humanity—but a sacred trust between God and Israel.
What Is Universal
Yet, interwoven into the fabric of the Torah are commandments and ethical ideals that transcend Jewish identity and speak to all humanity. Chief among these are the Seven Laws of Noah, derived from Genesis and expanded in later tradition. These are:
- Do not worship idols
- Do not murder
- Do not steal
- Do not engage in sexual immorality
- Do not blaspheme
- Do not consume the flesh of a living animal
- Establish courts of justice
These laws represent a basic moral framework that Netzarim Judaism, along with most Jewish traditions, views as binding on all human beings. They are not a “lesser Torah” but rather a universal ethic—a minimum moral code that every society must uphold.
Beyond these, the prophetic teachings of justice, compassion, and humility in books like Isaiah, Amos, and Micah also reflect universal moral calls. Micah 6:8 famously states: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” These values are timeless and borderless.
Primary Principles of Judaism with Universal Echoes
There are core principles in Judaism that, though originating within the Jewish covenant, hold deep relevance for all people. These include:
- The oneness and incorporeality of God
- The dignity of all human beings, created in the image of God
- The value of repentance, forgiveness, and ethical responsibility
- The importance of justice and care for the vulnerable
While these principles are lived out in uniquely Jewish ways through specific laws and rituals, their moral essence speaks to broader human concerns.
Why This Distinction Matters
Understanding what is “Jewish” and what is “universal” helps avoid two common errors:
- Universalizing all of Torah, leading to claims that Gentiles must convert or keep Jewish law to be righteous.
- Particularizing all of Torah, ignoring the prophetic voice that calls for justice, peace, and righteousness for the entire world.
Netzarim Judaism holds a middle view: the Torah is Israel’s inheritance, but its light shines on all. The Jewish mission is not to convert the nations, but to be a “light to the nations” (Isaiah 42:6), bearing witness to a way of life aligned with divine wisdom and moral clarity.
