Judaism Ten Commandments

the arrangement of commandments on 2 tablets interpreted in different ways in classical jewish tradition. rabbi hanina ben gamaliel says each tablet contained 5 commandments, sages ten on 1 tablet , ten on other , is, tablets duplicates. can compared diplomatic treaties of ancient near east, in copy made each party.

according talmud, compendium of traditional rabbinic jewish law, tradition, , interpretation, 1 interpretation of biblical verse tablets written on both sides , carving went through full thickness of tablets, yet miraculously legible both sides.

use in jewish ritual

the ten commandments on glass plate

the mishna records during period of second temple, ten commandments recited daily, before reading of shema yisrael (as preserved, example, in nash papyrus, hebrew manuscript fragment 150–100 bce found in egypt, containing version of ten commandments , beginning of shema); practice abolished in synagogues not give ammunition heretics claimed important part of jewish law, or dispute claim christians ten commandments handed down @ mount sinai rather whole torah.

in later centuries rabbis continued omit ten commandments daily liturgy in order prevent confusion among jews bound ten commandments, , not many other biblical , talmudic laws, such requirement observe holy days other sabbath.

today, ten commandments heard in synagogue 3 times year: come during readings of exodus , deuteronomy, , during festival of shavuot. exodus version read in parashat yitro around late january–february, , on festival of shavuot, , deuteronomy version in parashat va etchanan in august–september. in traditions, worshipers rise reading of ten commandments highlight special significance though many rabbis, including maimonides, have opposed custom since 1 may come think ten commandments more important rest of mitzvot.

in printed chumashim, in in manuscript form, ten commandments carry 2 sets of cantillation marks. ta elyon (upper accentuation), makes each commandment separate verse, used public torah reading, while ta tachton (lower accentuation), divides text verses of more length, used private reading or study. verse numbering in jewish bibles follows ta tachton. in jewish bibles references ten commandments therefore exodus 20:2–14 , deuteronomy 5:6–18.