By MARK MIETKIEWICZ
It is the original Top Ten List.
On Wednesday, May 19, Aseret Hadibrot — the Ten Commandments — will be read from the Torah to mark the first day of Shavuot. Aside from being fundamental to Judaism, those commandments have influenced civilization and worked themselves into all aspects of Western culture.
Today, 10 (or so) Web sites for the Ten Commandments:
I. The Original Text(s)
You can read the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1. Actually, the Ten Commandments appear twice in the Torah, the second time with some variations, in Deuteronomy 5:5.
II. Counting the Commandments
In the Torah, the commandments aren’t actually numbered. According to Yitzchak Etshalom, that has been a source of controversy in Judaism. “Where does No. 1 end, where does No. 2 end, etc.?” Rabbi Etshalom presents three different numbering schemes.
III. Their Special Significance
If the Ten Commandments are raised to a unique status, what does that say about the status of the rest of the Torah? The essay “Special Treatment for the Ten Commandments?” examines this question and related debates over whether it is proper for the congregation to stand while the Ten Commandments are recited, and even whether the tablets should be displayed inside the synagogue.
IV. The Tablets
Speaking of which, Rabbi Anchelle Perl is happy to burst a misconception. We are all familiar with those iconic tablets, square on the bottom, round on the top. Not quite, says Rabbi Perl. He quotes the Talmud to argue that the tablets were also square on top. He says Judaism has a responsibility to depict accurately one of its most important symbols.
V. In Song
Actually, in chant. You can listen to the Aseret Hadibrot thanks to Cantor David Goldstein of North Shore Congregation Israel of Glencoe, Ill.
VI. The Night Before
One popular Shavuot tradition is to stay up and learn throughout the first night of the holiday in anticipation of the giving of the Torah, which is commemorated in the morning. The Union of American Hebrew Congregations has created a detailed booklet for the Tikkun Leil Shavuot evening titled, “Aseret Hadibrot: Illuminating the Ten Commandments.”
VII. For Kids
The Jewish Theological Seminary site has a large poster celebrating the giving of the Torah that kids can print out and color. TorahTots has a comprehensive look at the preparation the Israelites went through in order receive the Torah.
VIII. In the Courts
The Ten Commandments are a common adornment to many synagogues. But when displayed in schools, government buildings and courthouses, controversy has been common because of the separation of church and state. This site provides links to some of the more famous debates.
IX. The Movie
There have been several screen adaptations but when you talk about the movie, you must be referring to Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 epic with Charleton Heston and Yul Brynner. Although some of the dialogue from that film has its basis in the Torah, I should clear up one fallacy. There is no Biblical proof that Princess Nefertiri (Anne Baxter) ever uttered these immortal words: “Oh Moses, Moses, you stubborn, splendid, adorable fool!”
X. In Popular Culture
The Ten Commandments have not only become central to Judaism, they have woven themselves into popular culture. Many sites even have lists of “new” commandments — some sensible, some sublime, some ridiculous — including the Ten Commandments…
… of Breastfeeding: “You shall not wean your children for the sake of convenience.”
… of Square Dancing: “Thou shalt take care that the words of thy mouth are not scented with garlic or beer.”
… of Sane Living: “Strike a balance between work and play… Nobody ever said on their deathbed, ‘I wish I had spent more time in the office.'”
Have a very happy holiday.
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Mark Mietkiewicz is a Toronto-based Internet producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be reached at: highway@rogers.com.
(American Jewish World, 5.14.10)
