As early as I can remember far before being intimately immersed in having a Jewish identity the one main code of living by that I can remember and I’m sure many of you might be the same is being taught about the 10 Commandments that was handed down to Moses from G-d at Sinai which is recorded in Exodus Chapter 20 and again recounted in Deuteronomy Chapter 5.
Different religious traditions divide the seventeen verses of Exodus 20:1–17 and their parallels in Deuteronomy 5:4–21 into ten "commandments" or "sayings" in different ways, shown in the table above. Some suggest that the number ten is a choice to aid memorization rather than a matter of theology. Unlike that of Christian teachings, Judaism makes the first commandment combining the prohibition on worshiping deities other than Yahweh with the prohibition on idolatry.
The Ten Commandments (Hebrew: עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת, Aseret ha'Dibrot), also known as the Decalogue, are a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship, But I would suggest that the Ten Commandments themselves are more than just principles but a moral code that transcends religious doctrines and rather is a moral code of humanity.
A moral code that has existed since the earliest days of man and one which exists to this very day thousands of years later. With time and space, and an evolution of the world around us largely impacted by technology, a more global society and a transformation of certain circumstances associated with each of these ten commandments, I and other like minded millennials might beg the question Do these moral codes still hold up against the test of time in today’s universe with the changing dynamics of the world around us? Do they withstand the test of time?
A moral code that has existed since the earliest days of man and one which exists to this very day thousands of years later. With time and space, and an evolution of the world around us largely impacted by technology, a more global society and a transformation of certain circumstances associated with each of these ten commandments, I and other like minded millennials might beg the question Do these moral codes still hold up against the test of time in today’s universe with the changing dynamics of the world around us? Do they withstand the test of time?
After all, just imagine for one second, had Moses been a Millennial, its fair to say that he and the Israelites would have made it to the Promise land in just 6 days time and not 40 years! That would have led to a 40-year head start on solidifying our claim to the holy land!
What I thought would be a fun and interesting exercise was to conduct a controlled survey to see how fellow Jews across the spectrum view our Aseret ha'Dibrot. Two dozen Jewish respondents took part in this survey and we asked each individual to go through each one of the 10 Commandments asking them to either reaffirm the commandment as still vital and appropriate in our society or if perhaps the commandment required tweaking or a rewrite and for those that chose a tweaking or rewrite, I asked that they author a new one liner commandment more apropos to today’s world.
To provide you some context on our survey respondents, the survey itself was a total of 15 questions, five leading demographic questions in order to identify such qualifiers as what Generation respondents were apart of and 10 directly related to each one of the 10 Commandments.
As we can see we have respondents across all generational groupings with the majority of respondents being among the Baby Boomers and Millennial generations.
As we can see we have respondents across all generational groupings with the majority of respondents being among the Baby Boomers and Millennial generations.
We also asked respondents to identify which Jewish denomination they most closely identified with. 39% of our respondents identify with reform Judaism while in second place, we have an equal distribution of respondents which identified with being either non-affiliated, modern orthodox or conservative egalitarian. With an even split as well of 4.3% of the respondents identifying as Humanistic, Open Orthodox or Reconstruction.
I also asked respondents to rate their level of observance with respect to the denomination that they most closely identified with and on average we see most are only about mid-range in terms of how closely they adhere to the traditional observances of that denomination. Which to be honest I found to be quite surprising. A future interesting study might be to look at why that is. Why there is such a departure from a level observance within these denominations?
One might argue because of the changing dynamics around us in a more modern world that is largely influenced by a more global community that transcends time and place and is connected through technological capabilities, as having a hand in a person’s level of observance.
One might argue because of the changing dynamics around us in a more modern world that is largely influenced by a more global community that transcends time and place and is connected through technological capabilities, as having a hand in a person’s level of observance.
And finally, I also asked respondents to convey whether they had an active affiliation with a religious organization, group or institution such as their local Chabad, sisterhoods, youth movements, synagogues and the like and overwhelmingly nearly 70% of the respondents are.
(ב) אָֽנֹכִ֖י֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֧ר הוֹצֵאתִ֛יךָ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם מִבֵּ֣֥ית עֲבָדִֽ֑ים׃
(2) I the LORD am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage:
This First Commandment sets the tone for the first four commandments, which can be summarized as, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength”. It is a reminder to us to focus on the awesome power and majesty of our Creator G-d. G-d’s power was on display when he thundered these commandments from Mount Sinai.
As we see from the survey respondents, the majority still say this is appropriate and applicable as is.
(ג) לֹֽ֣א יִהְיֶֽה־לְךָ֛֩ אֱלֹהִ֥֨ים אֲחֵרִ֖֜ים עַל־פָּנָֽ֗יַ
(3) You shall have no other gods besides Me.
Now this certainly begs the question of “What G-d Means to You”. We don’t define G-d as a man, a woman, or with any specificity of the like and lets be honest, we live in a world that is largely driven by interfaith households these days where the view of Who or What G-d is, certainly is different from one family or household to the next.
But no matter what ones personal belief in defining G-d is, we should certainly be aware and accepting to that fact that G-d has very different meanings to different people.
But no matter what ones personal belief in defining G-d is, we should certainly be aware and accepting to that fact that G-d has very different meanings to different people.
And we see some of our respondents also felt similarly. For example to Strive for holiness in yourself and your fellow human; and that G-ds are one in the same just through different lenses.
(ז) לֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֛א אֶת־שֵֽׁם־יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לַשָּׁ֑וְא כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יְנַקֶּה֙ יְהוָ֔ה אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־יִשָּׂ֥א אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ לַשָּֽׁוְא׃ (פ)
(7) You shall not swear falsely by the name of the LORD your God; for the LORD will not clear one who swears falsely by His name.
This Third Commandment is recorded in Exodus 20:7. To not take G-d’s name in vain means to not take it lightly and to never use G-d’s holy name as a thoughtless, hateful curse! This is perhaps the most common and lightly treated sin today, as profanity is splashed all over our television and movies. But G-d tells us to stop using blasphemy and filthy language and to bless rather than curse.
And as we see, Most of the respondents agree that this is still appropriate for this day in age. One made a good point of “what does ‘in vain’ actually mean.
(ח) זָכ֛וֹר֩ אֶת־י֥֨וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֖֜ת לְקַדְּשֽׁ֗וֹ
(8) Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy.
Next we have one that I find most interesting and that is “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
G-d made the Sabbath at the end of the creation week, and it reminds us of our Creator: “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day G-d ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then G-d blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which G-d had created and made” (Genesis 2:1-3).
We follow G-d’s example and commandment by remembering and resting on this day each week. Unless G-d told us, how would we know how he wants to be worshiped? How would mortal man know what is holy time—unless G-d revealed it?
We know there are 39 specific categories of work that is prohibited. However, especially this day in age with COVID-19, we find ourselves as being more reliant on technology which its use is technically considered “work” to be able to maintain our connection within our communities. One could certainly argue that a Rabbi officiating Shabbat services is in fact “work” so are we to take this commandment literal and to what extent?
G-d made the Sabbath at the end of the creation week, and it reminds us of our Creator: “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day G-d ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then G-d blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which G-d had created and made” (Genesis 2:1-3).
We follow G-d’s example and commandment by remembering and resting on this day each week. Unless G-d told us, how would we know how he wants to be worshiped? How would mortal man know what is holy time—unless G-d revealed it?
We know there are 39 specific categories of work that is prohibited. However, especially this day in age with COVID-19, we find ourselves as being more reliant on technology which its use is technically considered “work” to be able to maintain our connection within our communities. One could certainly argue that a Rabbi officiating Shabbat services is in fact “work” so are we to take this commandment literal and to what extent?
And we see that most of our respondents in fact had some feedback reflecting the same with such responses like
“Restating how to keep it holy”
“taking time to re-create yourself, being kind to your body and spirit” so essentially transforming the sabbath into a day of self-care of the mind body and soul.
“Restating how to keep it holy”
“taking time to re-create yourself, being kind to your body and spirit” so essentially transforming the sabbath into a day of self-care of the mind body and soul.
(יב) כַּבֵּ֥ד אֶת־אָבִ֖יךָ וְאֶת־אִמֶּ֑ךָ לְמַ֙עַן֙ יַאֲרִכ֣וּן יָמֶ֔יךָ עַ֚ל הָאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽךְ׃ (ס)
(12) Honor your father and your mother, that you may long endure on the land that the LORD your God is assigning to you.
The first four commandments define how G-d wants us to show love for Him. This Fifth Commandment begins a series of commandments that show us how to love other people—starting from our earliest years with family.
In a way, the Fifth Commandment connects the two sections, since G-d reveals himself as our loving Father. No father deserves honor as much as our Heavenly Father! Yet the Bible shows that humanity, and even those chosen to be G-d’s people, have often failed in showing that honor and respect to G-d, our creator.
G-d pointed out this much-too-common problem in Malachi 1:6: “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?”
This Fifth Commandment helps us see how learning respect and honor in the family setting helps prepare us to show honor to our ultimate Father.
But let’s be realistic and take a 30,000 foot view of families these days. Either as a result of being a same sex couple, or being a forester child or an adopted child or some raised by members of the extended family not everyone is raised in a home or family with a traditional mother and father role.
In a way, the Fifth Commandment connects the two sections, since G-d reveals himself as our loving Father. No father deserves honor as much as our Heavenly Father! Yet the Bible shows that humanity, and even those chosen to be G-d’s people, have often failed in showing that honor and respect to G-d, our creator.
G-d pointed out this much-too-common problem in Malachi 1:6: “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?”
This Fifth Commandment helps us see how learning respect and honor in the family setting helps prepare us to show honor to our ultimate Father.
But let’s be realistic and take a 30,000 foot view of families these days. Either as a result of being a same sex couple, or being a forester child or an adopted child or some raised by members of the extended family not everyone is raised in a home or family with a traditional mother and father role.
And it seems certainly that the same is front and center for our respondents that we should give thanks to those that gave us life and nurture us and to honor those that raised us.
(יג) לֹ֥֖א תִּֿרְצָֽ֖ח׃ (ס) לֹ֣֖א תִּֿנְאָֽ֑ף׃ (ס) לֹ֣֖א תִּֿגְנֹֽ֔ב׃ (ס) לֹֽא־תַעֲנֶ֥ה בְרֵעֲךָ֖ עֵ֥ד שָֽׁקֶר׃ (ס)
(13) You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
We’re taught that G-d values life above all. He tells us to choose life: In Deuteronomy 30:19 it states “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live”
Morally we know it is wrong and it is even against the law to kill another individual however in many states we still have capital punishment (man’s version of an eye for an eye) but what about in the course of compassionate care? In alleviating ones suffering, we euthanize animals hopefully more to end suffering. What about Compassionate care for an individual in their end stages of life to alleviate their pain and suffering in doing so are we violating this commandment?
Morally we know it is wrong and it is even against the law to kill another individual however in many states we still have capital punishment (man’s version of an eye for an eye) but what about in the course of compassionate care? In alleviating ones suffering, we euthanize animals hopefully more to end suffering. What about Compassionate care for an individual in their end stages of life to alleviate their pain and suffering in doing so are we violating this commandment?
Well only a few of our respondents it seems took those considerations into account responding “do not kill needlessly” or “you shall not murder or be physically or psychologically cruel to someone”. Which is certainly a very strong point we can harm someone more than just physically bringing about harm to someone psychologically as well.
(יג) לֹ֥֖א תִּֿרְצָֽ֖ח׃ (ס) לֹ֣֖א תִּֿנְאָֽ֑ף׃ (ס) לֹ֣֖א תִּֿגְנֹֽ֔ב׃ (ס) לֹֽא־תַעֲנֶ֥ה בְרֵעֲךָ֖ עֵ֥ד שָֽׁקֶר׃ (ס)
(13) You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
The prohibition of extramarital sex—adultery—was designed to protect the sanctity of marriage and show the importance of faithfulness. The recounting of this commandment is documented that
“And the LORD G-d said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’ …
“And the LORD G-d caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD G-d had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
“And Adam said: ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:18, 21-24).
But how does this still apply to what is an obvious evolution of companionship in today's world?
One key question here perhaps is what defines faithfulness? Is it faithfulness of your entire being, faithfulness of the heart and soul, or is it faithfulness in our sexual fidelities?
“And the LORD G-d said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’ …
“And the LORD G-d caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD G-d had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
“And Adam said: ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:18, 21-24).
But how does this still apply to what is an obvious evolution of companionship in today's world?
One key question here perhaps is what defines faithfulness? Is it faithfulness of your entire being, faithfulness of the heart and soul, or is it faithfulness in our sexual fidelities?
Overall everyone felt this commandment was still appropriate.
Many human laws have been made to try to protect personal possessions and property from those who would seek to take them for themselves. But the intent of G-d's Eighth Commandment goes deeper.
Leviticus 19:11, 13 tells us that stealing can take many forms, including cheating someone or even delaying paying someone what you owe him or her: “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. … You shall not cheat your neighbor nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning”
But, what happens in scenarios where perhaps one is stealing as an act of survival?
Leviticus 19:11, 13 tells us that stealing can take many forms, including cheating someone or even delaying paying someone what you owe him or her: “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. … You shall not cheat your neighbor nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning”
But, what happens in scenarios where perhaps one is stealing as an act of survival?
Overwhelmingly our respondents agree that stealing is wrong and you should not steal, not only physically or electronically!
The Ninth Commandment is designed to prevent slander and perversion of justice.You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Today laws about perjury are based on this concept of reinforcing the importance of truth and truthfulness. The intent of G-d’s Ninth Commandment goes deeper than this.
As G-d told Moses and the Israelites: “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. …"
“You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute. Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous” (Exodus 23:1-2, 6-8).
Today laws about perjury are based on this concept of reinforcing the importance of truth and truthfulness. The intent of G-d’s Ninth Commandment goes deeper than this.
As G-d told Moses and the Israelites: “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. …"
“You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute. Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous” (Exodus 23:1-2, 6-8).
And again most of our respondents agree. With one exception dependent on the circumstances.
Sometimes we do fib or stretch the truth to try to attempt to avert hurting someone’s feelings or because we feel not telling someone the truth might be in their best interest.
Sometimes we do fib or stretch the truth to try to attempt to avert hurting someone’s feelings or because we feel not telling someone the truth might be in their best interest.
(יד) לֹ֥א תַחְמֹ֖ד בֵּ֣ית רֵעֶ֑ךָ לֹֽא־תַחְמֹ֞ד אֵ֣שֶׁת רֵעֶ֗ךָ וְעַבְדּ֤וֹ וַאֲמָתוֹ֙ וְשׁוֹר֣וֹ וַחֲמֹר֔וֹ וְכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃ (פ)
(14) You shall not covet your neighbor’s house: you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female slave, or his ox or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor’s.
Last but not least, we have our 10th and final commandment
G-d recorded the 10th Commandment for us in Exodus 20:17:
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
When the 10 Commandments are listed again in Deuteronomy 5, the order of the items not to be coveted is slightly different (wife before house), which argues against breaking this into two commandments as the Catholics do.
Deuteronomy 5:21 says: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
In modern terms, coveting often includes our neighbor’s cars, electronic gadgets, money, prestige, etc.
But what if desire in fact is a catalyst or motivation, to set new goals for ourselves…. Does that violate this commandment?
G-d recorded the 10th Commandment for us in Exodus 20:17:
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
When the 10 Commandments are listed again in Deuteronomy 5, the order of the items not to be coveted is slightly different (wife before house), which argues against breaking this into two commandments as the Catholics do.
Deuteronomy 5:21 says: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
In modern terms, coveting often includes our neighbor’s cars, electronic gadgets, money, prestige, etc.
But what if desire in fact is a catalyst or motivation, to set new goals for ourselves…. Does that violate this commandment?
To some extent we see that our respondents by in large see that this commandment and its focus has evolved over time.
Sharing what we have with others, to be joyful and happy for the successes of others, but to also be content with ourselves.
Sharing what we have with others, to be joyful and happy for the successes of others, but to also be content with ourselves.
In putting together today’s presentation, I came across a funny version entitled the 10 Non-Commandments which conveys the following ideals:
- Be open minded and willing to alter our believes with new evidence
- Strive to understand what is most likely to be true and to not believe what you wish to be true
- The scientific method (which didn’t exist back in the day) is the most reliable way for us to understand the natural world around us
- That every person has the right to control their own bodies
- G-d is not necessary to be a good person or to live a full and meaningful life
- Be mindful of the consequences of all of our actions and recognize that we must take absolute personal responsibilities for them
- To treat others as you would want them to treat you and can reasonably expect them to want to be treated
- We have a responsibility to consider others including generations to come
- There is no one right way to live
- Leave this world a better place than we found it.
No matter what your view points may be – let us also remember that as old and antiquated as the 10 Commandments might be… technically Moses was the first man to download files from the cloud using a tablet.