mastery contracts matters. at some point, large quantities of information transform; what was complex becomes simple. rabbi akiva, when challenged to teach the torah with its 613 commandments to someone standing on one foot, instructed the individual “that which is hateful to you, do not do onto your fellow. all the rest is commentary. go learn it.”
the ten words, utterances or sayings frequent describing the commandments translate the hebrew word d’varim. the word, following the number ten, can translate a variety of ways. the ten, however, can be reduced to one letter. after written hundreds of ten commandments’ topical posts, it appears that the letter, “d”, aptly can describe the law. the “d” is used to to form four words- deliverance, devotion, do’s and don’ts.
deliverance is the foundational piece of the commandments. while the commandments reference the immediate event of the children of israel being freed from bondage, the notion of deliverance is expansive. deliverance includes the event to be part of historic memory. with passover, the events are retold and celebrated. in exodus 13:8, the children of israel were commanded to make this occur “and you shall tell your child in that day, saying ‘because of that which the lord did for me when i came out from egypt.'” deliverance, arguably, is not exclusive to the exodus. in genesis, jacob sanctified the lord after he was delivered safely back into canaan. the master’s role in resolving jacob’s sibling conflict was praiseworthy.
devotion is the second “d.” a series of the commandments dedicate themselves to respectful conduct to the one god which includes a prohibition against prostrating to or serving other gods as well as the creation of images of god.
do’s is third part of the commandments. sabbath observance and honoring one’s parents mark affirmative actions. performing righteous acts are an expectation within the commandments.
don’ts is the final “d.” using god’s name in vain, making images of god, murder, theft, lying, adultery and coveting fall within restrictive conduct and thoughts. thus, while an individual has free will, there is an expectation that they will refrain from abhorrent conduct.
in sum, unlike dodgeball’s five “d”s, the ten commandments only has only four. is this reduction fair? this is open for discussion, debate, discourse and disagreement.
be well!!
please “like”, share, or follow
The Ten Commandments Project 