In Simplicity

If “Don’t Steal”, “Respect Each Other”, “Don’t Lie”, “Keep Your Promises” & “Respect Your Parents” were Elementary School Classroom Bulletin Board signs, what would you think?…Random sentiments? A pattern?

If the Ten Commandments were posted on that very Elementary School Classroom Bulletin Board, what would you think?…Random sentiments? A pattern?

This exercise’s take-away is the appreciation that the Ten Commandments are a unit. The Commandments’ compilation creates greater meaning than each individual one in isolation- the sum is greater than its parts. The Decalogue’s revolutionary advancement is the combination of law, morality and ethics. This mixture departs from the historically significant Code of Hammurabi.

The Code Of Hammurabi

The Code of Hammurabi, published prior to the Decalogue in approximately 1750 BCE, is an extensive set of laws. Some of these laws were included in both the Ten Commandment and the Torah. The Code of Hammurabi is a document worthy of academic study. It should be included within students’ civics curriculum. The Code’s topics are enlightening. Who would believe that in antiquity that veterinarian surgical fees schedule would be codified?

The Code, however, differs from the Decalogue. It does not incorporate ethical and moral standards. In the Code’s prologue, it talks of a God who has dominion over man. This differs from a deity who presents as the creator of man. The Code’s prologue also discusses a goal-that of attaining of “rule of righteousness in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers; so that the strong should not harm the weak.” Code of Hammurabi. With this, the Hebrew Bible’s prophets concerns prove to be a long-standing civilization concern.

The Decalogue differs from the Code. The Commandments refers to a deity who is the creator and not one who merely has dominion. This concept was also evoked by the United States’ Founders. The Ten Commandments reference to the Creator Deity is ” For [in] six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day” (Exodus 20:11)

The United States’ Founders extrapolated the concept of the Creator Deity to make an assertion- “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Declaration of Independence.

The Ten Commandments differs from the Code of Hammurabi in that it specifically contains moral directives. While the Code of Hammurabi provides that “[i]f a son strike his father, his hands shall be hewn off,” the Decalogue pronounces to “Honor your father and your mother.” Exodus 20:12. While Hammurabi’s law implies values, it is create a directive to act affirmatively.

Beyond the Code of Hammurabi, the Ten Commandments institutes a communal period of rest in the Sabbath. This was accomplished by the directive that: “you shall perform no labor, neither you, your son, your daughter, your manservant, your maidservant, your beast, nor your stranger who is in your cities.” Exodus 20:10.

The Commandments additionally attempts to shape morality via a mental directive. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his donkey, or whatever belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:14.

Conclusion

With this exercise, the Ten Commandments’ uniqueness is revealed. It expresses that a nations’ foundation cannot only be one of laws. Morals, values and ethics must also be expressed and made know. Individuals, in such a society, have affirmative responsibilities with respect to their families, their neighbors, their workers and others. Further, reading the Code of Hammurabi is time well spent. It, as well, is an important document with respect to civics.

Be well!!

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