The Ten Utterances in Jewish thought and how Christianity thinks about them

  • Introduction
  • Jewish Understanding of Ten UtterancesJewish Understanding of Ten Utterances
  • Influence on Jewish Daily LifeInfluence on Jewish Daily Life
  • Christian Perspective on Ten CommandmentsChristian Perspective on Ten Commandments
  • Comparison of Jewish and Christian ViewsComparison of Jewish and Christian Views
  • Theft vs. Kidnapping DebateTheft vs. Kidnapping Debate
  • Kidnapping vs Theft PenaltiesKidnapping vs Theft Penalties

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The Ten Utterances, known in Hebrew as Aseret HaDibrot, play a central role in both Jewish and Christian traditions, shaping ethical principles and daily life. In Judaism, these divine statements are seen as foundational categories encompassing the 613 commandments, influencing everything from prayer and Sabbath observance to family relationships and community standards. While Christianity views them as the Ten Commandments, a moral code given by God, both faiths recognize their profound impact on spiritual and ethical living.

Jewish Understanding of Ten Utterances

Referred to as “Aseret HaDibrot” in Hebrew, these divine statements are understood as ten general principles or categories under which all 613 commandments in the Torah can be organized. They are divided into two groups – the first five dealing with human-God relationships, and the second five addressing human-human interactions. Jewish tradition connects the Ten Utterances to other sets of ten in Judaism, such as the ten sayings with which God created the world1. Unlike the rest of the Torah, these utterances are believed to have been heard directly by all Israelites at Mount Sinai, giving them special significance in Jewish thought2.

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Influence on Jewish Daily Life

The Ten Utterances profoundly shape Jewish daily life, influencing practices, rituals, and ethical decision-making. Their impact extends far beyond mere religious observance, permeating every aspect of a Jewish person’s existence. The commandment to honor one’s parents manifests in daily acts of respect and care. Children are expected to assist their parents, speak to them politely, and prioritize their needs1. This extends to caring for elderly parents, a responsibility taken very seriously in Jewish communities. Observance of the Sabbath dramatically structures the Jewish week. From sundown Friday to nightfall Saturday, observant Jews refrain from work, including activities like cooking, writing, and using electronics2. This creates a rhythm of rest and renewal, with families gathering for festive meals and synagogue attendance. The prohibition against idolatry influences Jewish attitudes towards material possessions and secular culture. While not eschewing the physical world entirely, there’s an emphasis on not allowing anything to supersede devotion to God3. This manifests in practices like covering mirrors during mourning periods and avoiding excessive luxury. Dietary laws, while not explicitly mentioned in the Ten Utterances, are seen as extensions of the commandments. Keeping kosher involves separating meat and dairy, avoiding certain animals, and careful food preparation4. These practices serve as constant reminders of one’s Jewish identity and relationship with God. The commandment against bearing false witness extends beyond the courtroom, emphasizing truthfulness in all interactions. This has led to a strong cultural emphasis on honesty and integrity in business dealings and personal relationships5. Even the prohibition against murder has daily implications. It’s interpreted broadly to include avoiding embarrassing others (likened to “killing” their social standing) and the imperative to preserve life, which overrides most other commandments in emergencies6. The Ten Utterances also influence Jewish education and child-rearing. Children are taught these principles from a young age, with the commandments serving as a framework for moral development7. Many Jewish schools incorporate study of the Ten Utterances into their curricula. In the realm of charity and social justice, the commandments against stealing and coveting are interpreted as mandates for fair economic practices and care for the less fortunate. This has led to robust traditions of communal support and tzedakah (charitable giving)8. Thus, the Ten Utterances serve as a constant moral compass, shaping decisions and actions in every sphere of Jewish life, from the most mundane to the most profound.

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Christian Perspective on Ten Commandments

The Christian perspective on the Ten Commandments differs in several key aspects from the Jewish understanding, while still maintaining their fundamental importance as a moral and ethical foundation. In Christianity, the Ten Commandments are generally viewed as part of the Old Covenant, fulfilled by Jesus Christ, but still relevant as moral guidelines. Jesus himself affirmed their importance, stating, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17)1. Christians typically divide the commandments into two categories: the first four dealing with one’s relationship with God, and the last six concerning relationships with others. This division aligns with Jesus’ summary of the law: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40)1. The interpretation and application of the Ten Commandments vary among Christian denominations:

  1. Catholic and Lutheran traditions combine the first two commandments (no other gods and no graven images) and split the tenth (coveting) into two separate commandments2.
  2. Protestant traditions generally maintain the division found in Jewish tradition, with some variations in wording2.
  3. The Eastern Orthodox Church views the Ten Commandments as part of the natural law, accessible to all people through reason and conscience3.

Christians generally interpret the commandments in light of Jesus’ teachings and the New Testament. For example, the commandment against murder is expanded to include anger and hatred (Matthew 5:21-22), and adultery is extended to include lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:27-28)1. The role of the Ten Commandments in Christian life is often seen as twofold:

  1. As a mirror, revealing human sinfulness and the need for divine grace.
  2. As a guide for moral living, expressing God’s will for human behavior3.

While Christians affirm the importance of the Ten Commandments, they generally do not view them as the sole or primary basis for salvation. Instead, salvation is understood to come through faith in Jesus Christ, with obedience to the commandments flowing from that faith as a response to God’s grace3. In contemporary Christian practice, the Ten Commandments continue to play a significant role in moral education, liturgy, and personal devotion. However, their public display and use in civic contexts have been subjects of legal and cultural debate, particularly in the United States2.

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Comparison of Jewish and Christian Views

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While both Judaism and Christianity view the Ten Commandments as foundational moral principles, there are significant differences in their interpretation and application:

  1. Numbering: Judaism considers “I am the Lord your God” as the first commandment, while most Christian traditions view it as a preamble. This leads to different numbering systems, with Judaism combining the prohibitions on coveting into one commandment, while many Christian traditions separate them1.
  2. Scope: In Judaism, the Ten Commandments are seen as categories encompassing all 613 mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah. Christianity generally views them as a comprehensive moral code in themselves2.
  3. Sabbath observance: Judaism strictly observes the Sabbath from Friday evening to Saturday evening, while most Christian denominations observe Sunday as the Lord’s Day3.
  4. Idolatry: Judaism interprets the prohibition on graven images more strictly, avoiding any representational art in religious contexts. Christianity has a more varied approach, with some denominations allowing religious imagery4.
  5. Covenant context: Judaism sees the Ten Commandments as part of the ongoing covenant between God and the Jewish people. Christianity often interprets them through the lens of the New Covenant established by Jesus5.
  6. Oral tradition: Judaism relies heavily on oral tradition and rabbinic interpretation to understand and apply the commandments. Protestant Christianity generally emphasizes sola scriptura, relying primarily on the biblical text6.
  7. Christological interpretation: Christian theology often interprets the commandments in light of Jesus’ teachings, particularly his summary of the law as loving God and neighbor7.
  8. Applicability: While Judaism sees the commandments as binding for Jews, Christianity debates their applicability to Gentile believers, with some viewing them as part of the “Old Covenant” fulfilled by Christ8.

These differences reflect the distinct theological frameworks and historical developments of Judaism and Christianity, highlighting how shared texts can lead to divergent interpretations and practices.

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Theft vs. Kidnapping Debate

The traditional translation of the Eighth Commandment as “Thou shalt not steal” has been subject to scholarly debate, with some arguing that a more accurate rendering would be “Thou shalt not kidnap.” This interpretation stems from a deeper analysis of the Hebrew text and historical context. The Hebrew word used in Exodus 20:15 is “תִּגְנֹ֔ב” (tignov), which comes from the root “גנב” (ganav), meaning “to steal” in a general sense1. However, some scholars argue that in the context of the Ten Commandments, this term specifically refers to the stealing of human beings, or kidnapping. This interpretation is supported by several factors:

  1. Ancient Near Eastern context: In the ancient world, kidnapping was a serious crime often associated with slavery. The prohibition against kidnapping would have been particularly relevant in a society where enslaving people through abduction was common2.
  2. Biblical usage: Elsewhere in the Torah, the same root word is used explicitly in the context of kidnapping. For example, Exodus 21:16 states, “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.” Here, the verb “steals” (יִגְנֹ֨ב, yignov) is from the same root as in the Eighth Commandment3.
  3. Rabbinic interpretation: Early rabbinic tradition often interpreted this commandment as specifically referring to kidnapping. This understanding is reflected in various Jewish commentaries and legal texts2.
  4. Severity of punishment: In biblical law, the punishment for kidnapping was death, while the punishment for theft of property was generally restitution. This disparity in severity suggests that the commandment may have been addressing the more serious crime of kidnapping3.

Proponents of this interpretation argue that understanding the commandment as “Thou shalt not kidnap” provides a more coherent structure to the Ten Commandments, as it would then directly address crimes against the person (murder, adultery, kidnapping) before addressing crimes against property (false witness, coveting)3. However, it’s important to note that this interpretation is not universally accepted. Many scholars and religious traditions continue to understand the commandment in its broader sense of prohibiting all forms of theft. The traditional interpretation also aligns with the New Testament’s usage, where Jesus and Paul refer to the commandment in the context of general theft (Matthew 19:18, Romans 13:9)3. Ultimately, while the “kidnapping” interpretation offers an intriguing perspective on the Eighth Commandment, it remains a subject of ongoing scholarly discussion rather than a widely accepted mistranslation.

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Kidnapping vs Theft Penalties

In Jewish law, the penalties for kidnapping and stealing are markedly different, reflecting the gravity with which each offense is viewed. Kidnapping, referred to as “stealing a person” in biblical Hebrew, carries the most severe punishment – death by strangulation1. This applies when the kidnapper has both abducted the victim and used them as a slave or sold them2. The severity of this punishment underscores the Torah’s view of kidnapping as a grave violation of human dignity and freedom. In contrast, the penalties for stealing property are primarily financial:

  • For general theft, the thief must pay double the value of the stolen item3.
  • If the thief slaughters or sells a stolen ox, they must pay five times its value; for a sheep, four times3.
  • If unable to pay, the thief may be sold into temporary servitude3.

These differences in punishment reveal several key implications:

  1. Human life and freedom are valued above property. The death penalty for kidnapping versus financial penalties for theft reflects this hierarchy of values12.
  2. Rehabilitation is prioritized for property theft. The financial penalties and potential servitude aim to restore the victim’s loss and rehabilitate the thief, rather than purely punish3.
  3. Kidnapping is seen as a more corrupting act. The Vilna Gaon notes that while property theft is written in plural in the Torah, implying its unfortunate commonality, kidnapping is in singular, indicating its rarity and the extreme moral corruption it represents4.
  4. The emphasis on human dignity. The severe penalty for kidnapping underscores the Torah’s focus on preserving human dignity and freedom, viewing their violation as an attack on the divine image in which humans were created12.

This juxtaposition highlights the nuanced approach of Jewish law to different offenses, balancing justice, rehabilitation, and the preservation of human dignity.

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