What Are The Ten Commandments Judaism
The Ten Commandments are the fundamental spiritual concepts adhering to the Biblical Law of Moses. Also known as the Decalogue, they outline the regulations and guidelines of moral behaviour in a religion and apply to Jews, Christians and Muslims. They are found in the Book of Exodus, Chapter 20 verses 1-17.
This set of regulations is deeply embedded within Judaism, its authority having survived over 3000 years. To this day it stands as the foundation of ethical teaching and is strongly influential within communities worldwide. For this reason, they are occasionally referred to as ‘God’s Law’.
Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in New York believes that the Ten Commandments are fundamental for any religious-based society. He believes that their purpose is to promote “moral order, moral responsibility and moral identity.” Weinberg further explains that it is not only a job of the individual, but of the entire community to promote harmonious behaviour.
The Ten Commandments are considered to be unique as they represent the absolute will of God and are not affected by community standards or fads. After millennia, they remain unchanged and authoritative.
Karen S Liptak, a Jewish scholar and owner of the Jewish Professional Education Centre in Florida, explains that the Commandments are equally concerned with the wellbeing of others, the environment, and with one’s relationship with God. They aim to create an equal and just society. Liptak believes that these ethical principles are not constrained by time, geography or culture and instead remain a constant influence throughout the world.
The Ten Commandments can also be split into two sections: the first five are concerned with one’s relationship with God, and the second five are concerned with relationships between people. For example, the first and key commandment is ‘Thou shall have no other gods before me’. The remainder commands against murder, theft, lying, envy and the honoring of parents.
The Ten Commandments are widely understood but approached differently. Some Jews believe that the ancient words are immutable and that the modern challenging life conundrum should still be approached by a comparison to the ancient laws. Others, however, prefer to apply more fluid interpretations in changing times to achieve the same goals.
Ten Commandments in Relation To Christianty
The Christian tradition follows similar sacred principles to Judaism, upholding morality and promoting a better world. The Ten Commandments, as outlined in Exodus, continue to act as guidance for many Christian believers and are featured in the Old testament as well as the New. Whilst some commandments, such as the prohibition from idolatry, will not apply to those of the Christian faith, others, such as honoring of parents, remain relevant.
Within the Christian tradition, the Ten Commandments can help adherents learn to lead a meaningful, moral and spiritual life. They focus not only on the worship of one God, but also on being an upstanding member of society. This can help believers of the Christian faith to focus more of their time and energy on living a Christian lifestyle and furthering the kingdom of God.
The Ten Commandments, as specified in the Bible, can be analysed through different lenses. Roman Catholics emphasise the welfare of the community, the Church, and piety towards God, whilst some protestant denominations may focus more on their relationship with their neighbors.
The Ten Commandments have been important components of Christianity over the years, providing a set of eternal standards to live by and ultimately ensuring individuals can make decisions and take action which honors their faith and its teachings.
Ten Commandments in Relation To Islam
Islam is a religion which follows the same God as Judaism and Christianity and for this reason, it is sometimes referred to as the Abrahamic religion. Although the Ten Commandments don’t exist separately in the Quran, the core values remain.
The fundamental law of God, transcribed in the Quran, contains a few fundamental imperatives which are almost identical to the Ten Commandments. Ayat al-Kursi is the cornerstone of the Islamic faith which covers the concept of monotheism (Tawhid), introducing the notion that Allah is the one true God.
Allah’s commands are known as Halal, which is the moral and behavioural code, and Haram, which is the immoral and prohibited code. Whilst many Halals are clearly defined, some are more debatable, and it is believed that the interpretation of certain requests such as “honour thy parents” is taken quite literally, depending on the culture.
The religion does specify positively some of the Halal behaviours expected of believers. For example, although not directly dealing with is the Ten Commandments, verses in the Quran forbid killing, stealing and adultery, promoting compassion, justice and honesty.
Effect of Modern Societies on Ten Commandment
In todays’ world, previous religious laws often present difficulties, as whilst some rules appear black and white in ancient scripture, everybody’s interpretations are somewhat unique to them. To this end, it is the opinion of many religious experts that the ‘good’ of the Commandments should remain but mistakes should be forgiveable.
The Ten Commandments aim to promote a morality which is both timeless and universal, even in an ever-changing international landscape. As Rabbi Simcha Weinberg explains, despite modern-day advances, society still requires a moral code and compass. According to Weinberg, the Commandments consequently still serve their purpose despite the thousands of years they have been in existence.
Although many of the ethical issues have changed over thousands of years, the Commandments have remained the same as they address universal human problems in an effort to further promote fairness and justice – ideals which remain valid even in today’s societies.
Relevance of Ten Commandments to Modern Life
The notion that ethical and moral standards are still necessary, despite the many years that have elapsed since the Commandments first came about, is one shared by religious scholars the world over. It is for this reason that in modern life, the Ten Commandments are still very relevant.
The Commandments still guide and provide a foundation for many ethical and moral decisions which people make today. Despite the thousands of years that have passed, they still serve to teach justice through both love and mercy. Many people around the world find inspiration in the Commandments and use them to help guide their decisions.
Whilst some may argue that the Commandments restrict individuality and freedom, these ethics also ensure that people act respectfully towards others, thus creating a society where thoughts and feelings are taken into consideration.
In summary, the Ten Commandments are still of vital significance in modern life and it is likely that they will remain an integral part of the religious text for many years to come.
Applying Ten Commandments in Practice
The Ten Commandments can be applied to daily life in both a spiritual and logical sense. It is believed that by following them, adherents will live a more peaceful life, free of stress and worry.
The Commandments which outline values such as honouring one’s parents, truth-telling, being content with one’s own possessions and taking a day of rest have been found to have a positive impact on mental health. Such values can positively impact the person’s relationships and outlook on life.
Moreover, Commandment 2, which focusses on worshipping one God only, can help adherents become more aware of their activities and feelings. Worshipping one God can in turn help individuals become stronger and more spiritually aware, thus improving their overall wellbeing.
The prohibitions from murder, theft, lying and envy can also help to improve relationships, build trust between individuals and even reduce aggression within society. This can help build better understanding and appreciation for one another, thus leading to stronger communities.
Conclusion
The Ten Commandments are established laws which must be followed carefully. Whilst they have been around for thousands of years, they continue to be relevant, influencing Jews, Christians, and Muslims all around the world. The Commandments are highly influential, they influence not only the relationship between humans and God but also between humans and their neighbors by helping promote justice and morality.
They also broadly touch upon areas such as relationships, hospitality and materialism, as well as remaining relevant in solving modern-day ethics. Ultimately, the Ten Commandments play an important role in modern societies, teaching lessons of justice, love, mercy and faith in the one God.
