Why TEN Commandments

[ChavaK]

Why do you think ten commandments were given? Why not 13, or 25,
or 6?

Is there a significance to the number 10, and why that number was given??




"The Truth doesn't make you free, it makes you obligated."
-Rav Leeder

[jaihare]

There were actually 613 given. Why 613? Why not 612? Or 621? ;)

[ChavaK]

There were actually 613 given. Why 613? Why not 612? Or 621? ;)

That was gonna be my next question!

[Kris10leigh]

I kind of think the 613 explains the 10. I'm not sure 10 is a particularly significant number. It is what it is. I have 2 children. That's just what I have. God had 10 commandments to give. I say that becaus 613 is a pretty odd number. Whe didn't He just round it up to 615 or down to a nice neat 600? It just is what it is.

[ChavaK]

This number is significant: it is the numeric value of the word Torah (Tav = 400, Vav = 6, Resh = 200, Heh = 5), plus 2 for the two mitzvot whose existence precedes the Torah: "I am the LORD, your God" and "You shall have no other gods before Me". There is also complete agreement that these 613 mitzvot can be broken down into 248 positive mitzvot (one for each bone and organ of the male body) and 365 negative mitzvot (one for each day of the solar year).


613 is eual to the value of the word "baTorah"- in the Torah.

Just a couple of things I found on a google search...so apparently
some feel the number is significant...

[ChavaK]

Of course, this is the real reason there are 10:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L940yIeVZzE

[Qalevra]

I was waiting for someone to come out with that. Haha!

[ChavaK]

I was waiting for someone to come out with that. Haha!

I couldn't resist- it's old, but still too too funny!

So far I haven't been able to fine out if there is any significance to the number "10"
as far as the "Ten" commandments go...

[jaihare]

I kind of think the 613 explains the 10. I'm not sure 10 is a particularly significant number. It is what it is. I have 2 children. That's just what I have. God had 10 commandments to give. I say that becaus 613 is a pretty odd number. Whe didn't He just round it up to 615 or down to a nice neat 600? It just is what it is.
I don't see how not wearing mixed fabrics explains the Ten Commandments. I also don't see how eating only clean (and kosher) animals explains the Ten Commandments. I don't see how offering a korban (sacrifice) in the Tabernacle or the Temple explains the Ten Commandments.

This idea of the 10 summing up all of Jewish law is just a little strange. The Torah is our covenant with God. The Ten Commandments were inscribed on the "tables of testimony", and their purpose was to give a visual representation of the covenant. The Ten were not the basis of the covenant. It was always Torah — in its vast array.

Jason

[cyberlizard]

Why do you think ten commandments were given? Why not 13, or 25,
or 6?

Is there a significance to the number 10, and why that number was given??




"The Truth doesn't make you free, it makes you obligated."
-Rav Leeder


may be HaShem knew if he gave the ten words, we could allocate one per finger and they would be more readily memorable that way.

Steve

[Kris10leigh]

I don't see how not wearing mixed fabrics explains the Ten Commandments. I also don't see how eating only clean (and kosher) animals explains the Ten Commandments. I don't see how offering a korban (sacrifice) in the Tabernacle or the Temple explains the Ten Commandments.

This idea of the 10 summing up all of Jewish law is just a little strange. The Torah is our covenant with God. The Ten Commandments were inscribed on the "tables of testimony", and their purpose was to give a visual representation of the covenant. The Ten were not the basis of the covenant. It was always Torah — in its vast array.

Jason
I wasn't trying to explain how all 613 got condensed down to 10? I couldn't begin to try. I'm just saying I didn't think the random number 10 had any particular importance. And while we're at it, for the record, I am also NOT saying that the ten commandments covers the rest of the law.

[Melchizedek]

Why do you think ten commandments were given? Why not 13, or 25,
or 6?

Is there a significance to the number 10, and why that number was given??




"The Truth doesn't make you free, it makes you obligated."
-Rav Leeder


The 10 Words represent the 10 righteous in a city that HaShem will not condemn it for.

Also, it represents righteousness as it is written "it is righteousness if we do them."

Thus the Torah is righteousness, and by implication, the 10 Words represent this.

It also represents the redemption of the 10 brothers if Joseph who sold him into slavery.

And the redemption of the Israelites at the Bitter Waters where there were 10 palm trees.

It also represents the 10 cubits of the acacia wood planks that made up the Tabernacle, as well as the 10 curtains.

Also represented as the curse of 10 women rationing bread when Israel breaks the commandments.

Often ten times 12 is found in scripture (such as the 10 palm trees and 12 springs).

There are two tables, representing the old and the new covenants - the first set is broken, the second set is kept. By implication also two sets of 5 - represent two Torot, the first Torah is broken, the second Torah is kept (content is the same on the "second" Torah, but represents also the relational application with one's neighbor (who is also HaShem), of the Torah when one is a believer).


What does the significance of 10 words have to do with the Messiah?

The 10 disciples of Yeshua against the 2 (10 + 2 disciples) that asked to be at the right and left hand of Messiah - mirroring that of the 10 brothers that sold Joseph into slavery and left Benjamin behind.

The 10 silver coins, one of which was lost, the woman finds and rejoices, and the Messiah says of this, so too do the angels in heaven rejoice over one who makes teshuvah.

The 10 into 2 sets of 5 also is taught by Messiah Yeshua in the challenge to the greatest commandment question: the greatest and second commandment like it: love God, and love your neighbor.

That Messiah is represented by 10 = righteousness, as it is written,

Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness. (first use, means he believed in the Word of the LORD, the Messiah, YHVH; thus equating the Messiah with the Torah, the Torah we know is represented by 10 Words)

Deuteronomy 6:25 And it shall be righteousness unto us, if we observe to do all this commandment

(commandment, singular) which is the basis for:

John 12:50 And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak.

and it is written:

Proverbs 12:28 In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

And regarding the way:

Acts 9:2 and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring

and referring to Messianic Jews today:

Zechariah 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, shall even take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying: We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’

Basically right back to where we started with 10 righteous men, and their righteousness is defined by the Torah.


Why not 13, or 25? Because Abraham didn't stop at any number lower than 10 in his intercession to save Sodom and Gomorrah. (again 10 + 2, 12).

Shalom.

[Melchizedek]

That was gonna be my next question!

613 is a fanciful numeric value for Torah (actually its 611, but the story goes Israel balked after hearing just 2 from the voice of God and needed the rest written down -the Torah - in addition to the 2 voiced commandments, so that is how one "arrives" at the number of 613 for the value of Torah).

However, 613 as a numerical representation does not mean there are actually 613 commandments only however, because there are far more than that. I have a paper on it here:

http://jerusalemcouncil.org/midrash/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=379

Instead, 613 is simply a nice way of expressing the Torah, but by no means is it a total listing of its teaching and instructions (for only the whole Torah is the sum of the Torah).

[ContraMundum]

I don't see how not wearing mixed fabrics explains the Ten Commandments. I also don't see how eating only clean (and kosher) animals explains the Ten Commandments. I don't see how offering a korban (sacrifice) in the Tabernacle or the Temple explains the Ten Commandments.

Just my point of view Jason but I see those laws reflecting on the first few commandments. After all, they teach us about separating things for holy use, dividing the Holy from the profane etc. and that reflects a little on the commandments about God and false idols, about not mixing the Holy up with the common or profane.


This idea of the 10 summing up all of Jewish law is just a little strange. The Torah is our covenant with God. The Ten Commandments were inscribed on the "tables of testimony", and their purpose was to give a visual representation of the covenant. The Ten were not the basis of the covenant. It was always Torah — in its vast array.

Jason

That's also true.

Just for information only: As you probably know, in traditional Christian liturgy the "summary of the Law" is always read if the Ten Commandments are not (depending on the day or rite) but they are the words of Yeshua about loving God and neighbour etc. You no doubt are familiar with that quotation.

[Kris10leigh]

Melchizedek, I enjoyed your post very much. It was fascintating to see all that the number "10" refers to and can symbolize. I enjoy symbolism and delight in adding it when I write, which is a hobby of mine. However, not to start a controversy, but is it possible we're just looking for symbolism in the number 10 and how it relates to the Ten Commandments?

Chava, were you really asking or are you waiting to lay out something you already knew and are just making us think? ;)

[jaihare]

613 is a fanciful numeric value for Torah (actually its 611, but the story goes Israel balked after hearing just 2 from the voice of God and needed the rest written down -the Torah - in addition to the 2 voiced commandments, so that is how one "arrives" at the number of 613 for the value of Torah).
Israel did no such thing! What a terrible thing to say!!

[ShirChadash]

this is such a sad, sad place to be anymore.

[Qalevra]

He gets it from the idea that the gematria of תורה is 611, and that must somehow mean that the first two of the "ten commandments" came orally first or somesuch. As for where he gets the idea that Israel balked at these two mitzvot is beyond me.

[ChavaK]

Chava, were you really asking or are you waiting to lay out something you already knew and are just making us think? ;)

I have never heard anybody explain why there were
10 commandments and not a different number.
Was wondering if anyone knew of the significance of "10", or
if it was purely a random number...
no hidden agenda ;)

[Melchizedek]

He gets it from the idea that the gematria of תורה is 611, and that must somehow mean that the first two of the "ten commandments" came orally first or somesuch. As for where he gets the idea that Israel balked at these two mitzvot is beyond me.

The first two commandments are written in the first person. After Israel heard them, they did not want to continue hearing the commandments from the voice of God, thus Moses wrote them down. They balked at hearing the voice, not the commandments. As it is written "all that you have spoken we shall do."

from: http://everything2.com/title/613

When G-D (http://everything2.com/title/G-D) was giving Moses (http://everything2.com/title/Moses) the ten commandments and the other laws on Mount Sinai (http://everything2.com/title/Mount%2520Sinai), at first he gave all the commandments in a "voice" loud enough for all the Children of Israel (http://everything2.com/title/Children%2520of%2520Israel) to hear. But after having heard the first two, they were so terrified to hear G-D's voice, the rest were given to Moses only, to be taught to the people. So the Torah was specifically needed for the remaining 611 commandments.

[Henaynei]

There were actually 613 given. Why 613? Why not 612? Or 621? ;)6+1+3=10

[Kris10leigh]

6+1+3=10

That's cool! :cool: Did you come up with that or did you read that somewhere?

[Lulav]

may be HaShem knew if he gave the ten words, we could allocate one per finger and they would be more readily memorable that way.

Steve Good one! :thumbsup:

And we get the string tied around the finger to remind us of them ( tzitizot)

[ShirChadash]

Good one! :thumbsup:

And we get the string tied around the finger to remind us of them ( tzitizot)
unless, of course, they are "on our hearts".

[Lulav]

I'm going to go by HaShem's mouthpiece and say this:

The 10 commandments were written upon two tablets

10 things broken into two categories

These two categories head the two greatest commandments:

4 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

He said that there was one GREAT commandment, but the next one is 'like it', it is the V'ahavta. He also says that upon these two commandments all the law and all that the prophets say can be 'categorized' under one or the other. Just like there were two tablets there are two categories, and two headings.

Love G-D
Love your neighbor ( fellow man)


You can not do one exclusive of the other though as many believe.

The Ten commandments are divided in two as well.

The first five have to do with our relationship with our Creator and G-d

The last five have to do with our relationship with our fellow man, created in G-ds image

Many Christian groups divide them, four and six, which is incorrect.

Honor your mother and father is under the heading of the first commandment to love G-d. For he is our heavenly parent. If we show no reverence and respect for our parents or others that are older and have lived longer than we have, and are in the flesh, we cannot do so for our heavenly Father who is Spirit.

You have 613 named commandments. All these can be divided by the two categories, they will fit in one or the other. Instead they are divided by the negativeness or positiveness of the command. But they should be divided by those two that Yeshua spoke of.

Now , why 10? I like Steve's answer. HaShem equipped us with the perfect memory devise, our hands. Our hands are also divided into five digits each.

The Monk answer? It's a nice round even number. :)