The Ten Commandments - You shall not covet

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  1. Differences between the First and Second appearances of the "Ten Commandments"

    Dr. Mordechai Sabato

    The main component of Sefer Devarim is the "commandments speech," which begins in chapter 5 and concludes at the end of chapter 26. At the outset, Moshe repeats the Ten Commandments. This shiur reviews the differences between the Ten Commandments as recorded in Sefer Shemot and as recorded in Sefer Devarim, and explores their significance.

  2. A Perfect Murder: Navot's Vineyard

    Rabbi Alex Israel

    Though it is completely clear from the beginning of the storyline that Ahav is legally powerless to commandeer Navot's vineyard - a significant statement regarding the autonomy of the common citizen in ancient Israel - the outcome after Izevel's ruthless plan displays the helplessness and vulnerability of the simple Jewish farmer. While the story describes Ahav as passive and ignorant of Izevel's plan and Izevel as the mastermind, Eliyahu makes it clear that Ahav is fully implicated in the murder. Ahav succeeds in taking Navot's ethical stand and grotesquely twisting it into an egotistical gesture of greed and as king he cannot absolve himself by claiming ignorance, all the more so when the pointers were rather obvious.

  3. The Tenth Commandment: "You Shall Not Covet"

    Rabbi Elchanan Samet

    What is the reason for the prohibition "You shall not covet ... nor shall you desire..." that comes to limit man's thoughts and feelings even when they do not find external, practical expression? This article explores some prevalent interpretations that attempt to answer this question, focusing on the danger to the coveter himself rather than to those around him. 

  4. Shavuot: Learning to Say No

    Rabbi Elyakim Krumbein

    When studying the Biblical text, one common tool used to uncover the intention of the verses is locating the “keyword” for a particular section. Can we identify a keyword for the Ten Commandments that stand at the heart of the Sinaitic covenant? It seems to me that the most striking candidate is the Hebrew word “Lo,” “You shall not.”

    The message behind all these negative commandments – in the Torah in general and in the Ten Commandments in particular – may be found in the last Commandment, the strange prohibition of “You shall not covet,” which is so different from all the other nine Commandments. Why was this one included? 

    The Torah wishes to reveal its general understanding of the idea of “Lo,” “You shall not” or “No.” In addition to teaching us to accept authority, it expects us to try to emulate our Maker, and learn to say “No.”