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1/24/2019

Which is it? The "Ten" or the "Top Ten" Commandments?

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​If there’s one thing we Jews can agree on, it's that the Ten Commandments are the most important commandments in the Torah, right?
 
Not so fast. 
 
Sure, murder is really wrong, and honoring your parents is very important and Judaism wouldn’t be a monotheistic religion if idol worship was permitted. But it doesn’t say anywhere in Parashat Yitro, the account of the revelation at Sinai that we read this week, that these mitzvot should be prioritized above all others. Nor is the punishment for coveting your neighbor's wife or stealing as severe as the one for eating chametz on Passover (for which the offender is “cut off” from the Jewish people and from God). 

​In fact, a famous rabbinic story from the Talmud argues that the single most important commandment in Judaism didn’t even make the list.  When a man tells the great sage, Hillel, that he will only convert on the condition that Hillel teach him the entirety of Torah while the man is standing one foot, Hillel replies, “that which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. The rest is commentary.”  Or as Leviticus 19 puts it, “Love your neighbor as yourself.  I am the Lord.”
 
One could point to a good many examples of commandments that should surely outrank some of these ten.  Isn’t keeping kosher more central to Jewish life than say, refraining from adultery?  It’s essential that every Jew understand their obligation to care for the vulnerable members of society as a condition of our own release from oppression in Egypt. Shouldn’t that go higher on the list than not bearing false witness? And “I am the Lord your God,” isn’t really even a commandment, is it?  Though, to be fair, the literal Hebrew translation of asseret hadibrot is the “Ten Utterances,” and a statement is certainly an utterance.
 
I would argue that Jews have been re-ordering the importance and the relevance of the commandments since Sinai.  Different eras, different geographic locations, different societal challenges, have all compelled Jews to rethink their priorities. And that’s certainly appropriate.
 
The important question is not, I think, which are the most important commandments in the Torah, but which of the commandments in the Torah are most essential at this moment in Jewish history.  And to be clear, I’m not suggesting that we pick and choose which mitzvot we follow and which we ignore, but that we identify those ideas that are crucial for inspiring a revival of Jewish religious commitment and continuity.
 
I invite everyone to join us, this Shabbat morning around 11 AM, as we consider this question together in an informal conversation during services led by Rabbi Wallach (though I’m sure Rabbi Sunshine and I have will have just a few things to contribute to this conversation, as well). 
 
Hope to see you then.

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2 Comments
Jonathan Spigel
1/24/2019 05:10:07 pm

Very interesting and thought-provoking. Especially the Passover/chametz punishment. Thanks, Rabbi Roffman!

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Cody Weaver link
1/26/2019 09:44:15 am

Very interesting perspective. I wish I could be there this morning to join the discussion and push this topic further. I’d be interested to see if there is a difference in which commandments each generation gravitates towards. Also, which commandments would possibly inspire or lead to a modern Jewish revival?

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  • About
    • Help Wanted
    • Mission, Vision, Core Values
    • Contact Us
    • Our Congregation and History
    • Blog
    • Places >
      • Shul Locations
      • David A. Segal Family Simcha Play Center
      • Shearith Israel Cemeteries
      • Family Room
    • People >
      • Meet our Klei Kodesh
      • Meet our Staff
      • Meet our Lay Leadership
      • Shearith People
    • Communications >
      • The Shofar
      • Our Video Channel
      • Shearith Social Media
      • Sign up for our emails!
  • Calendar
  • Connect
    • Study Guides >
      • Shabbat Morning Torah Study Guides
      • Thursdays with the Rabbis Study Guides
      • Women's Torah Study Materials
    • Travel to Israel with Shearith
    • Volunteer
    • Get in Touch
    • Groups >
      • 20s and 30s
      • College Connection
      • Shearith Singles 40+
      • Pillars: Hazak Community
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    • Family Center >
      • Family Center Program and Event Descriptions
      • Tiny Treasures
      • Family Shabbat Retreat
    • The Ladder Project >
      • Donors to The Ladder Project
    • Music at Shearith >
      • Shabbat Musical Experiences
      • Small-Waldman-Cohen Signature Series
      • Hazzan Zhrebker Music
      • Our Shearith Choirs
      • Service From the Heart Album
    • SISterhood >
      • SISterhood Programs and Events
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      • SISterhood Gallery Judaica Giftshop
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  • SHEARITH.LIVE
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