Ten Commandments
Ron Weis
May 10, 2012
Rabbi Lewin
PHIL 4960
The Tenth of The Ten The Hebrew Bible gives two lists of the ten commandments, one in Exodus and the second in Deuteronomy. Many of the faiths that stem from Judaism follow the guidelines given by these fundamental sets of rules, also known as the Decalogue. Despite the common origination, the Ten Commandments have been changed or molded to represent the core principles specific to religions such as Christianity. The common operation for each faith is to have a set list for the Ten Commandments. Unlike other faiths, Judaism maintains the original order for the Ten Commandments, but uses both locations in the Bible to allow a broader interpretation for each commandment. According to the Jewish tradition, the Tenth Commandment is the commandment with the most leeway for interpretation. Although Jewish and Christian interpretations of the law differ, the Tenth Commandment serves as a guide and check on desires, thought, and actions. The first half of the Ten are commands that deal with the relationship between man and God, and the second half set the limitations for relationships between man and man. The first step to understanding the Tenth Command is to recognize the differences in forbidden actions detailed in Exodus and Deuteronomy. In Exodus the commandment forbids the action of coveting, whereas in Deuteronomy the commandment specifies that a person shall not “desire” (Kuntz 4-5). Rambam describes the difference in wording as steps that lead to doing wrong against a fellow man. Any man may desire, but the transgression occurs as soon as “he begins to meditate on how he can achieve his goal” (Feuer 60). Rambam 's interpretation allows for a man to desire anything another man has, but the man cannot act on that desire nor can he take actions to steal from someone else. Contemporary society thrives on this interpretation. After seeing someone else with a desirable object, modern-day man has the option to go
May 10, 2012
Rabbi Lewin
PHIL 4960
The Tenth of The Ten The Hebrew Bible gives two lists of the ten commandments, one in Exodus and the second in Deuteronomy. Many of the faiths that stem from Judaism follow the guidelines given by these fundamental sets of rules, also known as the Decalogue. Despite the common origination, the Ten Commandments have been changed or molded to represent the core principles specific to religions such as Christianity. The common operation for each faith is to have a set list for the Ten Commandments. Unlike other faiths, Judaism maintains the original order for the Ten Commandments, but uses both locations in the Bible to allow a broader interpretation for each commandment. According to the Jewish tradition, the Tenth Commandment is the commandment with the most leeway for interpretation. Although Jewish and Christian interpretations of the law differ, the Tenth Commandment serves as a guide and check on desires, thought, and actions. The first half of the Ten are commands that deal with the relationship between man and God, and the second half set the limitations for relationships between man and man. The first step to understanding the Tenth Command is to recognize the differences in forbidden actions detailed in Exodus and Deuteronomy. In Exodus the commandment forbids the action of coveting, whereas in Deuteronomy the commandment specifies that a person shall not “desire” (Kuntz 4-5). Rambam describes the difference in wording as steps that lead to doing wrong against a fellow man. Any man may desire, but the transgression occurs as soon as “he begins to meditate on how he can achieve his goal” (Feuer 60). Rambam 's interpretation allows for a man to desire anything another man has, but the man cannot act on that desire nor can he take actions to steal from someone else. Contemporary society thrives on this interpretation. After seeing someone else with a desirable object, modern-day man has the option to go
Cited: Kuntz, Paul. The Ten Commandments in History. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2004. 4-5 34 60-61. Feuer, Avrohom. Aseres Hadibros. 2nd. Brooklyn: Mesorah Publications, Ltd., 2010