You Can Read The Bill After It Passes
Nancy Pelosi
The mere act of transmission can impart values. While the Decalogue- stand alone- is rich with laws and morals, the wonderous delivery of Ten Commandments to the Children of Israel at Mt. Sinai provides deep and impactful message.
With a Rock Star Prophet-Moses- and a Cecil B. DeMille atmosphere, the Mt. Sinai transmission was a Hollywood-like scene. The pyrotechnics and drama, however, were not the only memorable part. Beyond any pomp or circumstance, something greater occurred.
To fully appreciate the moment, it is necessary recount the events preceding the transmission: “and Moses came and called the people’s elders and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. And all the people responded together, and they said, “We’ll do everything that the Lord has spoken.” Exodus 19: 7-8. Further, in preparation for the deliverance of the commandments, the people were to be consecrated; their clothes were to be washed. They were instructed not to touch the mountain.
Immediately prior to the dispensing of the set of laws, the Torah notes, “And God spoke all these words, saying:” Exodus 20:1. Commentator Richard Elliott Friedman notes that “God speaks the words of the Ten Commandments aloud directly to the people.” Commentary, P. 234.
The transmission was to “the people.” Everyone would receive the law. The law would apply to all.
In modernity, there is the legal premise that “ignorance of the law is no excuse”. Ignorantia juris non excusat in Latin. In literature, this concept can be traced back to the Torah. “An if a person who will commit sin and commit one of any of the Lord’s commandments that are not to be done and did not know and became guilty, then he shall bear his crime.” Leviticus 5:17. While this notion is in the Torah, it also impresses upon parents to teach their children. “And you shalt impart them upon your children.” Deuteronomy 6:7.
Mt. Sinai’s moment was something beyond family. It was an entire nation receiving the information together. This concept was not lost upon future generations. After the Second Temple was built, Ezra brought the law before the congregation of both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. Nehemia 8:2. The scroll was not only read, but it was also explained. Nehemia 8:8.
With this transmission, the vision of a literate population was an aspiration. Access to the the knowledge that served as the foundation of the society was to be available. Beyond that, there was an obligation on behalf of the nation’s leadership to ensure that assistance be provided so that the scripture could be understood.
In modern times, the the task of educating an entire nation’s population is in reality impossible. The impossibility of the end goal should not, however, diminish from those aspiring to educate. Our generation should never give up in both providing both access and educational materials to as many people as possible.
With respect to the Hebrew Bible, the Chabad.org online library is a wonderful resource for the texts alone. It contains extensive amounts of Hebrew Bible material both in English and Hebrew. Also, it provides many options to view material. For some texts, one has the option to view text in English alone, English and Hebrew side by side, and Hebrew only. Further, one can call up, with some texts, Rashi’s commentary. Further, there are other organizations that offer wonderful resources.
In sum, the Decalogue’s Mt. Sinai transmission imparted values beyond the mere text. These extra-Decalogue values extended out into the future and are aspirations for the present. Literacy and the obligation to educate an entire populace represents this monumental goal. The fact that the transmission was for all the people should not go unappreciated. The shining example of bring forward this value was Erza’s reading of the Torah during the period of the Second Temple. He not only be accessable to all individuals but also afforded them instruction.
Be well!!
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The Ten Commandments Project 