Parshat
Yitro
Ten
Commandments Plus
The Ten Commandments don't look
like any other Biblical laws. There's no penalty for breaking them, no
procedure for applying them, no variations for different cases.
Some scholars say we should read
the Ten Commandments as a charter for the early Israelite spiritual community.
At Mt. Sinai, the Israelites agreed to a principled way of life. "We stand
in God's presence. God, our highest principle, frees us. We will honor parents;
respect the spiritual space of Shabbat; treat workers fairly; avoid lying,
stealing, adultery, murder and jealousy."
I have had many experiences of
Jewish spiritual community, including synagogue, chavurah,
and summer camp. Each functioned best when we lived by the principles of Mt.
Sinai. But each demanded more of its members than just the Ten Commandments.
If I were creating a charter for
a spiritual community, I would begin with the Ten Commandments, and add four
principles: (1) Because every human being is created
in the image of the imageless God, avoid negative judgments that create false
images of others. (2) Tell the truth with thoughtful kindness. (3) Be prepared
for mistakes and the detours they cause: acknowledge, apologize, atone. (4) Never forget that each member of the community is
on a path of moral and spiritual improvement.
Return to Reb Laura's "Taste of
Torah" list.
Return to "Teachings from Our Rabbis and
Friends" list.
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