A Prophet’s Revealing Ten Commandments’ Moment

Unlike other prophetic books Jeremiah’s richly addresses the Ten Commandments. Understanding both the book’s content as well as the Prophet’s background allows one to appreciate Jeremiah’s significance. Upon review, it is easy to see that the Prophet is one of the most compelling post-Torah scriptural figures.

While Jeremiah’s writings are outside of the Pentateuch, there are passages which provide a valuable understanding and appreciation of the Torah.

His book provides a sense of how the laws may have been envisioned and how they were practiced. His writings give us some insight how the Decalogue played a role in the lives of Judea’s ordinary citizenry.

To begin our appreciation of the Prophet, we must consider the time frame that he lived as well as when his book may have been completed. The Prophet Jeremiah lived from 650BC to 570BC. He was present during King Josiah’s monumental reforms. Duuring Josiah’s reign, it is believed that the Book of Deuteronomy was introduced for public consumption. This fact strongly suggests that Jeremiah had intimate knowledge concerning portions of the Torah. His level of scriptural literacy makes him stand out when compared to some other prophets.

Jeremiah, however, should not be looked at solely an individual; he had the help of a scribe.

His companion was the scribe named Baruch Ben Neriah. The title scribe is significant. The notion of scribes is largely misconceived in present times and often relegated to the concept of someone who merely copies documents. Scribes, in ancient times, were the equivalent of college educated individuals. Their roles were far beyond that of the monk famously portrayed in xerox commercials. Jeremiah’s association with a scribe leads one to appreciate the Prophet’s intellectual resources.

Jeremiah’s addressing the Sabbath stands out with respect to investigating the Decalogue’s awareness and reception post-Torah.

He, unlike other Prophets, addresses the Judean people’s shortcomings specifically with respect to the Sabbath Commandment.

The passage of interest goes as follows:

“Hear the word of Hashem, O kings of Judah and all of Judah and all inhabitants of Jerusalem who enter through these gates: Thus said Hashem””Beware for your souls; do not carry a burden on the Sabbath day to bring it into the gates of Jerusalem; And do not bring a burden from your houses on the Sabbath day; you shall not do any [manner of] work. Sanctify the Sabbath day as I commanded your forefathers.” Jeremiah 17:19-23

Commentators has noted that this declaration was a warning about the laws of the Sabbath. They indicated that the message was that if they observed the Sabbath, the city would remain vibrant and glorious. Millstein Artscroll Edition. Millstein also notes Meshech Chochma’s comment that this was a call from the Prophet for a proper commitment to the Sabbath.

The Sabbath, in the Torah, was referred to as a “sign”. Exodus 31:13. Thus, one could opine that the City of Jerusalem would not visually display the Sabbath as a “sign” if the city, on the Sabbath, was mixed with individuals who were both observant and not observant.

This notion of the visual echoes back to a famous Torah scene. In it, an unnamed individual was caught gathering wood on the Sabbath. The punishment, in that instance, was death. Numbers 15:32-36.

A “sign” carries with it a secondary notion. That incident, and with consideration of Jeremiah’s passage, brings forth the notion that a single individual’s violation of a commandment can be dispiriting on all of the others. Universal cooperation or compliance can serve to make a moment or event special It can set a tone. It can impact others by creating expectations. [note: The notion of how an individual’s actions can impact other commandments is also discussion-worthy topic.]

In sum, the Prophet Jeremiah’s knowledge of the Ten Commandments is telling. There are scholars who believe that he may have played some role in the development of past scripture. Further, his book offers up the notion that, at his time, and moving forward, there was a greater sense of Torah literacy than in the past. Additoonally, the passage explores the notion that the Ten Commandments can impact a sense of community. We see that, in ancient times, they were wary that non-compliance of laws could have a societal impact.

Be well!!

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