The Ten Commandments, called "aseret hadiberot" (or sometimes aseret hadevarim) the “ten sayings/words! In the early Temple period, these commandments were recited immediately before the Shema as part of the seder (order) of worship.
Introduction:
Deuteronomy (31:12-18) And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 'Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying: Verily ye shall keep my Sabbaths, for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that ye may know that I am the LORD who sanctify you. … Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth and on the seventh day he ceased from work and rested.' And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of G_D. So … you may be wondering why the “Ten Commandments” are listed herein as “Hebrew Prayers”? Well dear reader … the answer is simple; these commandments are designed to be pondered and prayed over.
If by chance the reader will recall that the Hebrew perspective on prayer propagates the notion that "the goal of prayer is to distinguish between my own will and G_D’s will." So … what better way to determine what G_D wants of me than to contemplate his sacred commandments? Especially those given at Mount Sinai written with G_D’s own finger!
Now beyond the root word “palal” connection that provides the foundation of the Hebraic perspective regarding prayer … it should be noted that we get our very best intuitive insights regarding the prayerful nature of the commandments (Torah) from the book of Psalms; generally regarded by both Jew and Gentile as being the great prayer book within the Bible
According to at least the following ten great prayers excerpted from the Books of Psalms:
Happy is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, and whose leaf doth not wither; and in whatsoever he doeth he shall prosper.
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Give me understanding, that I keep thy law and observe it with my whole heart. Make me to tread in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken me in thy ways.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a sojourner in the earth; hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaks for the longing that it hath unto thine ordinances at all times. Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, that do err from thy commandments.
I am thy servant, give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. It is time for the LORD to work; they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all [thy] precepts concerning all things to be right; every false way I hate. Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore doth my soul keep them. The opening of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened wide my mouth, and panted; for I longed for thy commandments. Turn thee towards me, and be gracious unto me, as is thy wont to do unto those that love thy name.
I delight to do thy will, O my G_D; yea, thy law is in my inmost parts.' I have preached righteousness in the great congregation, lo, I did not refrain my lips; O LORD, thou knows. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from the great congregation.
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD, neither spurn thou his correction; For whom the LORD loves he corrects, even as a father the son in whom he delights.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I hope in thine ordinances; so shall I observe thy law continually for ever and ever; and I will walk at ease, for I have sought thy precepts; I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers; for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than mine elders, because I have kept thy precepts.
Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that obtains understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and happy is every one that holds her fast.
Commentary:
Now … for a moment let us think like the Psalmist … let us think as the faithful believer that we might consider ourselves to be! For one single moment can we conjecture that the commandments of G_D are not absolutely fundamental to the spiritual health and prayer life of the Psalmist … of those believer(s)? Hmmm!
Again … let us consider the Hebraic perspective on prayer. Let us consider the ultimate goal of prayer is to be aware of and in tune with G_D’s will … for us and all creation. If we do, then we must realize that the prayers of the Psalmist represent the very heart of the passionate believer. These Psalms recognize and establish for us the complete interdependence upon G_D’s sacred commandments as a foundation of our prayer life … so that we can LIVE!
Beloved children of G_D … can we see the relationship between G_D’s will and purpose for us and his sacred commandments through the heart of the Psalmist? Can we not see clearly how the Hebraic perspective relates doing G_D’s will on Earth as being rooted in performing the commandments as a manifestation of his holy and righteous character? Can we see even further that according to the Psalmist there is assuredly much more than simply “doing the law”?
Please … ponder these Psalms and really consider what is being revealed. Frankly in the Hebraic perspective there is simply no purpose, wisdom, contentment, joy, mystery … or even life without the Torah of G_D.
Of paramount importance as well is that the Hebraic tradition does not approach this endeavor as a pure-play study! The Hebrew does not approach contemplation of the Commandments as a course of study or some exercise in logic. What the Hebrew does is hopefully approach the Commandments of G_D with the heart of the Psalmist … approach the Commandments in prayer … in delight … in joy; knowing that this is all part of getting to know G_D and ultimately to be conformed to his great character!
So now let us review the Aseret Hadiberot knowing a little bit more about Hebrew prayer and how the ancestors of old did not just recite the commandments … but prayed the commandments in order to become integrated with them out of sheer love for G_D! And also keep in mind that there is a reason the Aseret Hadiberot are prayed just before the Shema within the ritual Hebrew liturgy … think on that for a bit as well … then again think on this issue a lot!
I am ADONAI Your G_D.
Thou shalt have no other gods before Me (ADONAI).
You shall not take the Name of ADONAI Your G_D in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it separate.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet...
Now for one moment let us just consider where pondering the first great commandment “I AM ADONAI” could take us.
Initially we are brought right back to the amazing events surrounding the redemption of Israel and the freedom from the bondage of slavery from Egypt … we are brought back to the miraculous wonders and works of the G_D of Israel and all creation. Initially we are left pondering just how awesome this one true G_D really is … he is truly in charge and he truly has the power and might of creation … of existence … at his fingertips.
But we need to ponder this commandment deeper still. What we encounter is a G_D that stands against oppression and injustice. We encounter a G_D who for the sake of his great Name and compassion stands behind the promises which he made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We encounter a G_D who has a plan that will not be turned back and will be done according to his timing and means.
What we should also realize is that the Israelites were freed not for the purpose of doing what they wanted to do … but rather to serve the living G_D in accordance to the terms and conditions of the Everlasting Covenant. They were freed so that they could become G_D’s children and begin the process of bringing order back to the creation through remaining in a relationship with G_D and manifesting his character upon the entire Earth.
Naturally we could continue in perpetuity with respects to pondering “I AM ADONAI”! The point being made however is these ten great commandments serve us no purpose if we recite these great revelations by rote. ADONAI declares who he is … it is up to us to consider through prayerful meditation the unending extent and mystery of what this declaration really means.
The next time we ponder a Psalm just think how this could have been possible without G_D revealing himself to Israel. It would appear that the Psalmists’ meditations began with faithfully obeying the first commandment to “know ADONAI”!
* * * * * * *