In addition to the fundamental point — that the effort to influence the nations to accept the Seven Noachide Laws is itself a command that was given to “Moshe Rabbeinu by the Almighty,” as ruled explicitly by the Rambam — there is an additional factor: this effort brings tangible benefit and assistance to the Jewish people.
Every Jew remains under the indelible impression of the terrifying events that occurred, Heaven forbid, approximately forty years ago. Now, it was clearly seen then that wherever there were “pious among the nations” who observed the Seven Noachide Laws, even to a limited degree, they recoiled from the acts of murder and theft and therefore acted to protect their Jewish neighbors — and as a result (as seen from the natural course of events) dozens upon dozens of Jews were saved.
Certainly, “affliction shall not rise up a second time,” Heaven forbid. May there be only good — and goodness that is manifest and revealed — for every single Jew.
From this historical reality, we can derive a powerful lesson for the present. If there were non-Jews who acted righteously at that time — even when doing so involved genuine danger to themselves — then how much more so does this apply today, in an era and setting where Jews and non-Jews interact frequently in business and other matters in a pleasant and friendly manner, and where such conduct brings clear benefit rather than risk.
This shows how the Noachides’ fulfillment of their mitzvos benefits the Jewish people in various ways.
Even on the most basic level: When a non-Jew has the choice to either harm a Jew (in his livelihood and the like) or, conversely, to help him — if that non-Jew is permeated with the awareness that there is an “Eye that sees and an Ear that hears,’’ and with the knowledge that he must fulfill the Seven Laws, it will have a profoundly positive effect on his relationship with Jewish people.
There is yet another point here. Beyond the fact that, through such efforts, thousands upon thousands of non-Jews will come to observe the Seven Noachide Laws — thereby fulfilling Hashem’s command countless times — and beyond the benefit this brings to Jews, the effort itself engenders an attitude of respect and admiration toward the Jewish people.
When the nations see Jews actively working to ensure that justice and integrity prevail in the world, and showing genuine concern for the welfare of the broader society —the neighborhood, the country, and humanity as a whole — then “all the peoples of the earth will see” that Hashem has made us truly “a light unto the nations,” and the pride of Yaakov (geon Yaakov) is uplifted.
May it be Hashem’s will that Jews exert themselves to influence the descendants of Noach to take upon themselves the observance of the Seven Laws with which they were commanded by Him. Fortunate is the portion, and great is the merit, of those who engage in this endeavor — not only because they bring benefit and assistance to Jews and non-Jews alike in many ways, but above all because they are fulfilling a command with which “Moshe Rabbeinu was commanded by the Almighty.”
The fulfillment of this command also serves as an immediate preparation for the realization of the promise: “For then I will convert the peoples to a pure language, so that all of them will call upon the Name of Hashem, to worship Him of one accord” — with the coming of the true and complete Redemption, through our righteous Moshiach, speedily in our days, in the literal sense.
(From sichos delivered on Acharon shel Pesach 5743 (1983) and the subsequent farbrengens.)
