The Kuzari

by Rabbi Judah HaLevi, son of Rabbi Shmuel

The Rabbi addresses the Khazarian King saying:

[The Sages] utilized Scripture as asmachta, meaning that a scriptural passage is used as a device to help them remember an oral tradition.

They did this, for example, with the verse, "The L-rd G-d commanded Adam saying, [from all the trees of the garden you may surely eat]"  (Genesis 2:16).

They explained that the verse is a reminder of the Seven Noahide Commandments.  "Commanded" refers to establishing courts of justice.  "The L-rd" refers to cursing G-d.  "G-d" refers to idolatry.  "Adam" refers to murder.  "Saying" refers to illicit sex.  "From all the trees of the garden" refers to stealing.  "You may surely eat" refers to eating from living animal.

These laws have nothing obvious to do with the subject of the text, yet the Jewish people have a tradition that we may rely on this verse to help us remember the Seven Commandments.

1. WORSHIP G-D.  Do not worship anything except G-d Himself.
2. RESPECT G-D AND PRAISE HIM.  Do not curse Him or anyone in His name.
3. RESPECT HUMAN LIFE.  Do not commit murder, suicide, or abortion.
4. RESPECT THE FAMILY.  Do not participate in sexual immorality.
5. RESPECT OTHERS' RIGHTS AND PROPERTY.  Do not steal, cheat, or kidnap.
6. RESPECT ALL CREATURES.  Do not eat the flesh of any animal while it is still alive.
7. PURSUE JUSTICE.  Establish courts of law to enforce the Seven Noahide Commandments.

English Editions

• The Kuzari: In Defense of the Despised Faith, by Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi
  Translated and annotated by N. Daniel Korobkin
  A new rendering of the complete text with notes from selected classic commentaries. Includes introductions, appendices, and indexes.
  (Northvale, New Jersey: Jason Aronson Inc., 1998)
  BM550.J8 1997
  296.3'5 -- dc21 97-8404
  ISBN 0-7657-9970-7
  

• Fundamentals of the Kuzari, by Judah HaLevi
  Translated by Avrohom Davis from the arrangement of Yechezkel Sarne
  Organized according to topic
  Text in English and Hebrew with an introduction and index
  (New York: Jacob Joseph School Press, 1979)
  BM550.J8 1979
  296.3'19
  

• The Kuzari: An Argument for the Faith of Israel, by Judah HaLevi
  Translated by Hartwig Hirschfeld
  (New York: Schocken Books, 1966)
  ISBN 0-8052-0075-4
  

• Kuzari: The Book of Proof and Argument, by Jehudah HaLevi
  Translated by Isaak Heinemann
  (: Hebrew Publishing Co., 1984)
  ISBN 9-9999-8822-9