עברית
Beginners Guide
The Ten Commandments: Foundations of Jewish Faith and Society
Dive into the Ten Commandments: Learn why they stand apart from other commandments in the Torah and why they were inscribed on the Tablets of the Covenant.
- Eran Ben Yishai
- |Updated
The Ten CommandmentsThe Ten Commandments at a Glance
The Ten Commandments given at Mount Sinai are:
I am Hashem, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
You shall have no other gods before Me. Do not make for yourself an idol.
Do not take the name of Hashem, your God, in vain.
Remember the Shabbat day to keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s possessions.
Judaism teaches that the entire Torah was given by Hashem to Moses at Mount Sinai. If all mitzvot are equally divine, why were the Ten Commandments singled out, engraved on the Tablets of the Covenant, and revealed first?
Our sages addressed this question and offered two central explanations.
Why the Ten Commandments Are Unique
First, the Ten Commandments serve as broad categories that include all other mitzvot. Rashi explains that all 613 commandments are contained within the Ten Commandments in principle.
Second, the Ten Commandments establish the essential spiritual and social foundations necessary for all other mitzvot. A person who denies Hashem or worships idols is unlikely to observe commandments such as tefillin or the mitzvot of Sukkot. Likewise, a society plagued by murder, adultery, theft, and false testimony cannot sustain justice, trust, or stability. Without moral order, society collapses.
It is important to emphasize that the Ten Commandments are not more important than other mitzvot. All commandments are equally binding. The Ten Commandments were placed on the Tablets because they represent the framework upon which the rest of the Torah rests.
Below, we explore the meaning behind each commandment.
I Am Hashem, Your God, Who Brought You Out of Egypt
Rabbi Mordechai Neugershel explains that beginning the commandments with “I” introduces a moral compass that guides all thoughts, beliefs, and actions.
According to Rambam, this statement is itself a mitzvah: the command to believe in Hashem’s existence. It obligates us to recognize Hashem as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
Ramban adds that this verse affirms belief in one eternal God who governs all existence and history.
You Shall Have No Other Gods
After affirming Hashem’s existence, the Torah prohibits all forms of idolatry. This includes worshipping other gods or creating physical representations of the Divine. Hashem cannot be limited, depicted, or replaced.
Do Not Take Hashem’s Name in Vain
Hashem’s name is sacred and must only be used with intention, such as in prayer, blessings, or Torah study. Ramban explains that any careless or unnecessary use of Hashem’s name violates this commandment.
Remember the Shabbat Day to Keep It Holy
Shabbat commemorates Hashem’s creation of the world, reflecting His rest on the seventh day. By observing Shabbat, Jews testify to Hashem as Creator.
Shabbat also carries a social message. The Torah reminds us that we were slaves in Egypt and were freed by Hashem. Shabbat therefore represents dignity, rest, and freedom for every person.
Honor Your Father and Your Mother
Honoring parents ensures the continuity of Jewish tradition. Through parents, faith, values, and identity are transmitted from one generation to the next. Respect for parents safeguards the preservation of Torah and Jewish life.
You Shall Not Murder
Human beings are created in the image of Hashem. Murder destroys not only an individual but also the divine image within that person. It undermines both moral order and the sanctity of life.
You Shall Not Commit Adultery
Marriage is a sacred bond established by Hashem. Adultery violates that bond and weakens the foundation of family life. Stable families are essential to a healthy society.
You Shall Not Steal
The sages explain that this commandment primarily refers to kidnapping. Taking away a person’s freedom is among the gravest violations, closely connected to exploitation and human trafficking.
You Shall Not Bear False Witness
Justice depends on truthful testimony. False witnesses corrupt courts, lead to wrongful judgments, and erode trust in society. Truth is the backbone of moral order.
You Shall Not Covet
Rambam explains that coveting involves planning and scheming to obtain what belongs to someone else, even through persuasion or purchase. The Torah seeks to cultivate inner contentment.
Sefer HaChinuch teaches that unchecked desire can lead to coercion and violence, as illustrated by the biblical story of Naboth. Controlling desire protects both the individual and society.
The Lasting Message of the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments unite faith in Hashem with moral responsibility toward others. They teach that spiritual devotion and ethical behavior are inseparable. Together, they form the foundation upon which the Torah and Jewish civilization stand.
By living according to these principles, the Jewish people preserve not only their faith, but the moral structure that allows the world to endure.
