Are All Commandments Equal?: Va’etchanan

The Torah houses the Decalogue. Thus, within the Pentateuch’s 613 Commandments, the Ten Commandments is a subset. The Decalogue’s location gives rise to an Orwellian query: “Are some Commandments more equal than others?”

According to the Torah Portion Va’etchanan, the answer is “yes”. The Ten Commandments are different from the others. Moses explain why in his final address to the Children of Israel. The difference touches on the very essence of civilization.

Historical Background

Around 1200 BCE, civilization in the Near East and Mediterranean collapsed. See Cline, 1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed.

During this period, the Israelites emerged onto the scene. 1208 BCE marked their first historical reference. Egyptian engages with them in the Levant. It was recorded on the Merneptah Stele.

Thus, the Israelite society formed at a time when regional civilization was resetting.

Va’etchanan, A Worthy Portion

Before offering the commandment distinction, it is worthy to note the treasures located within the Portion Va’etchanan. There is the Ten Commandments’ repetition. Deut 5:6-21. Also, there is the “Shema,” the Hebrew nation’s monotheistic declaration. (“Hear of Israel, the Lord Our God, the Lord is One.” Deut 6:4)

The Answer

Moses, in his lecture, observes: “And He told you His covenant that He commanded you to do, the Ten Commandments, and He wrote them on two tablets of stones.

And the Lord commanded me at that time to teach you laws and judgments, for you to do them in the land to which you’re crossing to take possession of it.” Deuteronomy 4:13

Moses separates the covenant from the other laws and judgments. Commentator Richard Elliott Friedman points out this distinction.

Professor Friedman notes that the “violation of them [the Ten Commandments] by the community (for example, widespread pagan worship or injustice) risks the breaking of the covenant. They are the essence of the covenant.” Commentary, P. 576.

Thus, the Ten Commandments is essentially a contract with a morality clause. The difference being that it is a group versus individual contract.

Community

Friedman’s notion of community is further supported within Va’etchanan.

Later in the portion, Moses notes “The Lord, our God, had made a covenant with us at Horeb (Mt. Sinai.) The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us! We! These! Here! Today! All of us! Living! Face-to face, the Lord spoke with you at the mountain from inside the fire.” Deut 5:2-4.

The Mt. Sinai event constituted a moment in time. It was a community event that would not be repeated. Like a marriage ceremony, each particular matrimony only happens once. It was a Pandora’s box unleashing morality, ethics and values.

Thus, even Deuteronomy’s Ten Commandments’ recitation in Va’etchanan is a simply a recitation.

Religious Significance

A particular religious belief is explained by this rationale. There is a Midrash asserting that all Jewish souls were present at Mt. Sinai when the Torah was given. See Tanchuma.

This belief appreciates the moment and everyone’s connection to the bargain. With that Mt. Sinai moment, the nation collectively understood that the community’s well-being was tied to adherence to a particular moral code.

Modern Secular Implications

Nations have building blocks. They are built from cities. Within cities, there are communities.

When communities fail, societal decline follows. Theft, murder and the family deterioration are elements that bring communities down and leave cities in ruin.

On the other hand, a nation’s good health occurs when communities adhere to core values.

Core Value Sources

The Ten Commandments present as core values promoting community. Some of these values are derived from more ancient civilizations.

In other words, not all of the Ten Commandments’ provisions are unique. Tried and true staples from older civilizations are part of the Decalogue.

Thus, the Ten Commandments integrated older core values with some innovations. In doing so, it created a “new and improved” set of core community values. It redefined both communal living and civilization.

Conclusion

In sum, Va’etchanan advances the notion that the Ten Commandments are not simply an individual’s code of conduct. Rather, they are also a covenant. As such, they constitute core community values.

Communities are arguably the building blocks of cities which are the building blocks of nations. Thus, community core value compliance is existential for a nation.

Be well!!

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