7/31/2019 10 Commandments With Understanding

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"I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery. Youshall have no other gods in My presence..."This commandment is to be aware that the God of Israel exists absolutely and influences all eventsin the world[31][dead link] and that the goal of the redemption from Egypt was to become Hisservants (Rashi). It requires the acknowledgment of the single God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,and the denial of the existence of false gods (Rashi).

"Do not make an image or any likeness of what is in the heavens above..."This prohibits the construction or fashioning of "idols" in the likeness of created things (beasts, fish,birds, people) and worshipping them. It also prohibits making an image of the God of Israel for usein worship (like the golden calf).

"Do not swear falsely by the name of the LORD..."This is a prohibition against making false oaths in the name of the God of Israel, specifically thosewhich are pointless, insincere or never carried out.

"Remember [zachor] the Sabbath day and keep it holy" (the version in Deuteronomy reads shamor,"observe")The seventh day of the week is termed Shabbat and is holy, just as God ceased creative activity

during Creation. The aspect of zachor is performed by declaring the greatness of the day (kiddush),by having three festive meals, and by engaging in Torah study and pleasurable activities. Theaspect of shamor is performed by abstaining from productive activity (39 melachot) on theShabbath.

"Honor your father and your mother..."The obligation to honor one's parents is an obligation that one owes to God and fulfills thisobligation through one's actions towards one's parents.

"Do not murder"Murdering a human being is a capital sin.

"Do not commit adultery."

 Adultery is defined as sexual intercourse between a man and a married woman who is not his wife.

"Do not steal." According to the Talmud,[35] this commandment refers to kidnapping and not to theft of materialproperty, as theft of property is forbidden elsewhere,[36] and it is not a capital offense. In thiscontext it is to be taken as "do not kidnap."

"Do not bear false witness against your neighbor"One must not bring a false testimony in a court of law or other proceeding.

"Do not covet your neighbor's wife"One is forbidden to desire and plan how one may obtain that which God has given to another.Maimonides makes a distinction in codifying the laws between the instruction given here in Exodus

(You shall not covet) and that given in Deuteronomy (You shall not desire), according to which onedoes not violate the Exodus commandment unless there is a physical action associated with thedesire, even if this is legally purchasing an envied object.