Preamble
Embracing Mercy to Preserve Life and Hasten Redemption
In these unprecedented times, the very fabric of human existence and societal harmony faces profound challenges. As guardians of God’s creation and stewards of His will, it becomes our sacred duty to seek a path that not only preserves life but also elevates the human spirit. Recognizing the halachic principle that the preservation of life (pikuach nefesh) overrides other commandments, we propose a halachic ruling addressed to all nations and peoples.
This ruling calls for a collective commitment to acts of kindness (chesed), charity (tzedakah), and Torah study, embodying mercy, compassion, justice, and understanding—the virtues we all yearn for in our innermost hearts. By suspending lesser obligations when necessary to save lives, we aim to usher in a new era, weaning out the old and bringing in the world we’ve always desired: a world where we listen more than we talk, care instead of hate, and help more than we take.
With humility and a profound sense of urgency, we emphasize that while detailed religious clarifications will come later, it is imperative at this moment for all Jewish people to adhere to the mitzvot and for the nations to uphold the Six Noahide Commandments. Together, we will establish true justice, balanced by understanding, compassion, kindness, righteousness, and love.
Most people already fulfill these commandments in action; now, our intent must focus on serving God and being merciful to one another. Let us embrace justice and unity, knowing that all things will be clarified in due time, and together we will become one unified whole.
I. The Sacred Principle of Preserving Life
1. Pikuach Nefesh (Saving a Life)
- Overriding Principle: “You shall therefore keep My statutes… which if a man do, he shall live by them” (Leviticus 18:5). The Talmud interprets “he shall live by them” to mean that commandments are given to promote life, not to cause death (Yoma 85b).
- Suspending Other Commandments: In order to save a life, one may set aside other mitzvot, highlighting the paramount importance of preserving human life.
2. Collective Responsibility
- Moral Imperative: “Neither shall you stand idly by the blood of your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:16). We are all responsible for one another’s well-being.
- Urgent Action Required: The threats we face demand immediate and unified action to protect and cherish life.
II. Acts of Kindness and Charity as Universal Obligations
1. Embodying Mercy and Compassion
- Divine Emulation: “Just as He is merciful, so you should be merciful” (Shabbat 133b). By embodying God’s attributes, we bring His presence into the world.
- Transforming Society: Acts of kindness create ripples that transcend borders, fostering a world of understanding and empathy.
2. Charity as a Lifeline
- Proverbial Wisdom: “Charity delivers from death” (Proverbs 10:2).
- Intent Matters: Beyond the act itself, our intention should be to serve God and uplift others, transforming charity into a profound spiritual practice.
III. The Essentiality of Torah Study and Observance of Commandments
1. For the Jewish People
- Returning to the Path of Torah:
- Adherence to the 613 Mitzvot: Jews are called upon to return wholeheartedly to the observance of the mitzvot, as outlined in the Torah.
- Guidance from Rabbinic Authority: This journey should be guided by rabbis who adhere to Rabbinic Judaism as codified by Maimonides in the Mishneh Torah and the Shulchan Aruch.
- Spiritual Revival:
- Serving God with Joy: “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing” (Psalms 100:2).
- Light Unto the Nations: Through dedicated observance and study, Jews fulfill their role as a guiding light, bringing divine wisdom to the world.
2. For the Nations of the World
- Observing the Six Noahide Commandments Now:
- Foundational Ethics: These commandments prohibit idolatry, blasphemy, murder, illicit sexual relations, theft, and eating flesh torn from a living animal.
- Intentional Observance: While many already uphold these laws in practice, it is crucial to embrace them with the intent of serving God.
- Establishing Justice Together:
- The Seventh Commandment: We will collaboratively usher in true justice, creating courts and systems governed by understanding, compassion, and righteousness.
IV. The Path to Redemption Through Unified Action
1. Weaning Out the Old, Bringing in the New
- Collective Transformation: By embracing these principles, we leave behind divisiveness and enter a new era of unity and peace.
- Inner Yearning Fulfilled: “And I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26).
2. Building the World We Desire
- Active Participation: Each individual’s commitment contributes to a world where we listen, care, and help more than we speak, hate, or take.
- Future Clarifications: While religious details will be elucidated in time, our immediate focus is on mercy and justice.
V. Halachic Justification
1. Authority to Propose a Halachic Ruling
- Rabbinic Precedent: In times of crisis, halachic authorities can enact measures to protect the community (Bava Metzia 83a).
- Guiding Light: As the people chosen to uphold God’s laws, we have a responsibility to lead with compassion and justice.
2. Aligning with Divine Will
- Serving as God’s Stewards: “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord (Isaiah 43:10). Our actions testify to God’s presence in the world.
- Hastening Redemption: Through righteousness, we can bring closer the redemption we all yearn for.
VI. Implementation Strategies
1. For Individuals
- Jews:
- Return to Mitzvot: Embrace the 613 commandments with sincerity and joy.
- Seek Rabbinic Guidance: Learn and observe under the mentorship of rabbis grounded in the Mishneh Torah and Shulchan Aruch.
- Non-Jews:
- Observe the Six Noahide Commandments: Embrace these laws with the intent to serve God.
- Cultivate Mercy and Justice: Let acts of kindness and fairness guide daily interactions.
2. For Communities
- Educational Initiatives:
- Learning Centers: Establish places of study for Torah and the Noahide laws.
- Workshops and Dialogues: Promote understanding through community events.
- Justice Systems:
- Collaborative Efforts: Work together to establish courts rooted in true justice, compassion, and righteousness.
3. For Leaders and Influencers
- Policy Development:
- Ethical Legislation: Enact laws reflecting the principles of mercy, kindness, and justice.
- Resource Allocation: Prioritize education, healthcare, and systems that uplift the vulnerable.
- Public Advocacy:
- Inspire Action: Use platforms to encourage widespread participation in these sacred duties.
- Model Virtue: Lead by example, demonstrating the values we seek to promote.
VII. Embracing Mercy, Justice, and Unity
1. Intentional Living
- Serving God Through Actions: Let every deed be infused with the purpose of honoring the Creator.
- Mercy as a Cornerstone: “He has told you, O man, what is good… to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
2. Unity and Understanding
- Becoming One Unified Whole: By overcoming divisions, we fulfill the vision of a united humanity.
- Future Clarifications: Trust that as we progress, all necessary understanding will be provided.
VIII. Conclusion
In accordance with our sacred duty to preserve life and promote righteousness, we urgently and humbly propose this halachic ruling:
- All individuals are called upon to engage in daily acts of kindness and charity, focusing their intent on serving God and uplifting others.
- Jews are urged to return wholeheartedly to the study of Torah and observance of the 613 mitzvot under the guidance of rabbis adhering to Rabbinic Judaism as codified by Maimonides in the Mishneh Torah and the Shulchan Aruch.
- Non-Jews are obligated to observe the Six Noahide Commandments at this moment, embracing them with the intent to serve God and be just and merciful to one another.
- Together, we will establish true justice, ushering in the seventh commandment, ensuring that all courts are governed by understanding, compassion, kindness, righteousness, and love.
By embracing these obligations, we align ourselves with divine will, contributing to the salvation of lives and the healing of our world. Let us move forward with determination and unity, seeing these duties not as burdens but as profound opportunities to elevate ourselves and those around us.
May we merit to see the fulfillment of the prophecy:
“For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one accord” (Zephaniah 3:9).
Epilogue
This halachic ruling serves as a beacon, guiding us toward a future where humanity stands together in mutual respect, kindness, and reverence for the divine. Our immediate focus is to be merciful and just to one another, trusting that all things will be clarified in due time. As we overcome current challenges and unite in purpose, we will become one unified whole.
Let us answer this call with open hearts and steadfast resolve, welcoming God as our true King and working collectively to bring about the redemption of all creation.
Amen.
Respectfully proposed by those committed to the well-being of all humanity and the fulfillment of God’s will.
Final Encouragement
We invite every person to reflect upon these words and consider how they might incorporate acts of kindness, charity, and the study of divine teachings into their lives. Let us focus our intentions on serving God and being merciful to one another. Together, we can build the world we all yearn for—a world of understanding, compassion, and unity.
May our collective efforts merit divine favor and hasten the arrival of an era filled with peace, love, and the fullness of God’s presence.