It Is As If He Has Destroyed The Entire World...
Daily Study of the Noahide Code of Laws
By Sarah Bakker
The Divine Code for January 1, 2023
Today: Pages 391 - 392
Part 9:8 - 9:9
The sin of bloodshed is so severe that if someone kills just one person, it is as if he has destroyed the entire world. Thus does the Torah say about Cain, in reference to his murder of Abel (Gen. 4:10) “The bloods of your brother cries out to Me.” It does not say the blood of your brother,” but rather “the bloods of your brother” meaning the victim’s blood and the blood of the offspring he wou have had until the end of all generations.
Therefore, G-d created the first man, Adam, as a lone individual, to teach that if anyone murders even one person,” it is as if he has destroyed the entire world, for behold, from one person (Adam) the entire world population was brought forth — including Chava (Eve) who was brought forth from Adam. And conversely, if someone save one person’s life, it is as if he has saved the entire world.
Another reason why G-d created Adam as a lone individual was to teach the value of peaceful relationships — that a person should not say to another, “My father is greater than your father,” or other types of inflammatory statements. Also, G-d did so to refute the polytheists who would claim that there are many deities in the spiritual realms (saying that each of these deities created a primordial person).
Mankind produces many coins from a die and they are all similar, but the Holy One blessed be He, the King of all kings, creates every person in the image of Adam and Chava, and yet no two people have the same features, to teach us that every human being is significant in his own right. Therefore, each person should rightfully be permitted to say, “The world was created for my sake” — that is, for the sake of the good deeds and the service to G-d and mankind that He sent me to accomplish in the physical world.
By Sarah Bakker
Reading schedule of the Divine Code
Yesterday's Study Topic: 9:3-9:7
Tomorrow's Study Topic: Part VI - sexual morality
Curious about the whole page? You can read it in The Divine Code.
Sources: The Divine Code (4th edition) by Rabbi Moshe Weiner
Sarah Bakker is a blog writer and illustrator for the Noahide Academy. After a difficult time, she found Judaism. She has been a Noahide for many years and uses her experiences and knowledge combined with her creative talents to help others.
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