ASERET HADIBROT - PART ONE 1

בס"ד

Clarification of the Ten Commandments in the Torah

Discover the importance of the Ten Commandments (Aseret Ha'Dibrot) in Judaism and their relationship to the 613 Mitzvot. Explore how this set of expressions from the Eternal, spoken aloud to the entire Jewish nation, guides Jewish ethics, morality, and daily life, and learn about their duties toward God and human beings. Did you know that the commandments considered the most important by both Jews and others are not part of the so-called Ten Commandments?

Examples: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart .... (Deut. 6:5)" and "you shall love your neighbor as yourself (Lev. 19:18)."

Introduction

Understanding the commandments in the Torah is fundamental to Jewish faith and practice. Jewish morality and ethics are often associated with the so-called Ten Commandments, which are recognized in various religious traditions. However, it is crucial to understand that these ten are not simply a set of rules or commandments—in the original language, they are never called commandments—but rather represent broad categories within a larger framework of 613 mitzvot (commandments) that God gave to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai.

This work explores the meaning and true nature of the Aseret Ha'Dibrot, or Ten Declarations, and how they relate to the mitzvot as a whole. Through a detailed analysis, misconceptions about the commandments are debunked, their meaning is clarified, and the importance of each one in everyday life is examined. Furthermore, the relationship between duties toward God and toward human beings is highlighted, underscoring the idea that all mitzvot are equally sacred and should be honored with the same respect.

Ultimately, this introduction seeks to offer a richer and more nuanced perspective on the commandments, inviting a deeper reflection on their relevance in the contemporary world.

ASERET HA'DIBROT: TEN COMMANDMENTS?

The Torah contains a total of 613 commandments. It is important to note that God's commandments are not limited to just ten. The Tablets of the Law include ten categories of commandments, and altogether, we received 613 commandments at Mount Sinai.

Classification of the Commandments

The Aseret Ha'Dibrot or Ten Commandments are divided into two groups:

1. Duties towards God
2. Duties towards human beings

Other religions other than Jewish religions often classify these commandments differently and mistakenly call them the "Ten Commandments."

The Importance of Mitzvot

According to the original sources of the Torah, God gave the Jewish people 613 mitzvot (commandments). All of these mitzvot are sacred and binding, and must be treated with equal respect. The Torah teaches that we cannot determine which ones are most important in God's eyes, so we must honor them all equally.

Pirkei Avot instructs us to be meticulous in fulfilling all the mitzvot, no matter how insignificant they may seem. Every mitzvah is crucial, as even the smallest ones guide us to live according to the Creator's will.

The Two Tables of the Law

The Bible mentions the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, which records the words God wrote on the stone tablets Moses brought from Mount Sinai. However, in the Torah, these words are not called the "Ten Commandments," but

"Aseret Ha'Devarim" or "Aseret Ha'Dibrot." Meaning of "Dibrot" and "Devarim"

The words "devarim" and "dibrot" come from a Hebrew root meaning "word" or "declaration." Therefore, the most accurate translation would be "Ten Sayings" or "Ten Declarations." To be considered "Ten Commandments," the term "Aseret Ha'Mitzvot" would have to be used. In the Torah, the terms used to refer to the commandments are "Mitzvot" (commandments), "Chukim" (decrees), and "Mishpatim" (ordinances and judgments).

Categories of Mitzvot

The Aseret Ha'Dibrot represent categories of the 613 Mitzvot (commandments). Yes, that's 613 commandments in total. Each Mitzvah (commandment) can fit into one of these ten categories, some more clearly than others. The categories are presented below:

1. Belief in God: Based on Exodus 20:2, it includes loving and fearing God.
2. Prohibition of Improper Worship: Derived from Exodus 20:3-6, it prohibits the worship of other gods.
3. Prohibition of Oaths: Based on Exodus 20:7, it includes perjury and the misuse of God's name.
4. Observance of Holy Times: Derived from Exodus 20:8-11, it encompasses the mitzvot related to Shabbat and festivals.
5. Respect for Parents and Teachers: Based on Exodus 20:12, it includes respect for God as a father figure.
6. Prohibition of Physical Harm: Derived from Exodus 20:13, it prohibits murder.
7. Prohibition of Sexual Immorality: Also from Exodus 20:13, it encompasses forbidden sexual relations.
8. Prohibition of theft: Derived from Exodus 20:13, it includes robbery and kidnapping.
9. Prohibition of harming a person through speech: Based on Exodus 20:13, it covers false testimony and gossip.
10. Prohibition of coveting: Derived from Exodus 20:14, it prohibits coveting another's property.

Duties towards God and towards People

The first tablet of the law contains the first five commandments, which relate to our duties to God. The second table includes the last five, which refer to our obligations to others. Although the category of respect for parents seems to mediate between the two, the rabbis teach that respect for parents is also a duty to God.

It is important to remember that, when choosing between fulfilling an obligation to God or to a person, Judaism teaches that the obligation to the person must prevail. This is based on biblical and Talmudic examples that show the importance of helping one's neighbor.

Conclusion

For those who believe there are only Ten Commandments, it is crucial to recognize that many commandments considered important in Judaism and other religions are not included in the Ten Declarations. For example, the commandments to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart" (Deuteronomy 6:5) and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18) are essential, but not part of the Ten Declarations.

Quiz on the Ten Commandments and the Mitzvot in the Torah

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Multiple Choice Questions

1. How many commandments are found in total in the Torah?

   • A) 10
   • B) 613
   • C) 248
   • D) 365

2. What are the "Ten Statements" called in Hebrew?

   • A) Aseret Ha'Mitzvot
   • B) Aseret Ha'Devarim
   • C) Aseret Ha'Torah
   • D) Aseret Ha'Pesukim

3. What does the word "Mitzvot" mean?

   • A) Prohibitions
   • B) Commandments
   • C) Rules
   • D) Laws

4. Which of the following categories is NOT part of the Aseret Ha-Dibrot?

   • A) Prohibition of improper worship
   • B) Prohibition of lying
   • C) Prohibition of greed
   • D) Prohibition of sexual immorality

5. According to the Torah, what is the relationship between duties toward parents and duties toward God?

   • A) They are independent
   • B) Duties toward parents are more important
   • C) They are parallel and both must be honored
   • D) Duties toward God are more important

6. What does Pirkei Avot teach about fulfilling the Mitzvot?

   • A) Only important Mitzvot should be fulfilled
   • B) One should be meticulous in all Mitzvot, regardless of their size
   • C) Minor Mitzvot are not important
   • D) Fulfilling the Mitzvot is optional

7. What is the first category of the Aseret Ha-Dibrot?

   • A) Prohibition of stealing
   • B) Belief in God
   • C) Respect for parents
   • D) Prohibition of sexual immorality

8. Which category relates to Exodus 20:12?

   • A) Prohibition of causing physical harm
   • B) Respect for parents and teachers
   • C) Observance of sacred times
   • D) Prohibition of improper worship

9. Which is an example of a Mitzvá that fits in the category of "not killing"?

   • A) Not embarrassing a person in public
   • B) Not stealing
   • C) Not committing adultery
   • D) Not causing physical harm to another person

10. Which of the following commandments is found in Deuteronomy 6:5?

    • A) You shall not covet
    • B) You shall love the Eternal, your God
    • C) You shall not kill
    • D) You shall not take the name of the Eternal in vain

Correct Answers

1. B) 613
2. B) Aseret Ha'Devarim
3. B) Commandments
4. B)  Prohibition of lying
5. C) They are parallel and both must be honored.
6. B) One must be meticulous in all Mitzvot, regardless of their size.
7. B) Belief in God
8. B) Respect for parents and teachers
9. D) Do not cause physical harm to another person
10. B) To Love the Eternal your God 

This quiz can be used to assess understanding of key concepts related to the Ten Commandments and mitzvot in the Torah.

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10. Duties to Human Beings

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6. The Relevance of the Commandments in the Modern World
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8. Interpretation of the Commandments in Jewish Tradition
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1. Worship of God
2. Prohibitions of Idolatry
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6. Differences Between Jewish and Non-Jewish Interpretations of the Commandments
7. How the Aseret Ha-Dibrot Relate to Jewish Spirituality
8. The Significance of Each of the Ten Commandments in Religious Practice
9. How to Teach the Ten Commandments to New Generations
10. Reflections on the Importance of Observing Holy Times

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