The Ten Commandments: The Significance of God's Laws in Everyday Life

by Laura Schlessinger, Stewart Vogel

The Ten Commandments are the first direct communication between a people and God. Designed to elevate our lives above mere frantic, animal existence to the sublime levels humanity is capable or experiencing, they are the blueprint of God's expectations of us and His plan for a meaningful, just, loving, and holy life. Each commandment asserts a principle, and each principle is a moral focal point for real-life issues relating to God, family, sex, work, charity, property, speech, and thought. Written in collaboration with Rabbi Stewart Vogel, The Ten Commandments incorporates lively discussion of the Bible and the Judeo-Christian values derived from it. Filled with passion, emotion, and profound insights, it will move, enlighten, inspire, entertain, and educate you on the meaning each commandment has in our daily lives today:




I am the Lord, your God, Who has taken you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery.


You shall not recognize the gods of others in My presence.


You shall not take the Name of the Lord., your God, in vain.


Remember the Sabbath day and sanctify it.


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 fellow.


You shall not covet.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Religion, Christian, Christianity, Philosophy, Inspirational

352 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1998

About the author

Laura Catherine Schlessinger (born January 16, 1947) is an American talk radio host, socially conservative commentator and author. Her radio program consists mainly of her responses to callers' requests for personal advice and has occasionally featured her short monologues on social and political topics. Her website says that her show "preaches, teaches, and nags about morals, values and ethics".

Reviews

[Skylar Burris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ten Commandments is a nonfiction work that examines in-depth the decalogue delivered to Moses on Mt. Sinai and applies these laws to modern-day life. Dr. Laura Schlessinger writes from a Jewish perspective, although she is careful to also bring in quotes from Christian clergy as well as the New Testament to back up her points and to show the similarities between Jewish and Christian values. She addresses difficult and controversial questions such as "Is killing always wrong?" and "Is it acceptable to tell a white lie?"

The book is a superb review for the practicing Jew or Christian and a useful introduction to anyone who is not well acquainted with Judeo-Christian morality. As a Christian, I found that much of the background explanation the author offered from Jewish tradition helped me to place Christ's explications of the commandments in perspective. For example, Christ tells us that the command, "Thou shalt not murder" also means that you should not hate your brother and that whoever calls his brother "Raca, fool" is in danger of hell fire. The author points out that rabbinical tradition teaches that the command "Thou shalt not murder" also prohibits publicly humiliating a person or destroying his reputation with gossip. Learning about this tradition gave me some insight into Christ's teaching on this command, and it gave me a more complete idea of what calling one's brother a "Fool" might entail.

The writing in The Ten Commandments is not at all academic, but neither is the text dumed-down Dr. Laura does not assume her readers have Ph.D.s, but she does write as though she expects them to have some intelligence as well as an ability to "connect the dots" (so to speak).

There were a few minor flaws in the book:

1. It could have benefited from some more editing. As far as I know, God did not mention anything about the "inequities visited upon the generations." He might have said something about iniquities, however. The author also attributes to Jesus words that were actually spoken by John the Baptist.
2. Dr. Laura offers an excellent biblical defense of the death penalty, but she does not directly address the serious arguments of a great many Christian denominations that the death penalty is wrong. I would like to have seen her reaction to the specific religious arguments made in opposition to the death penalty.

On the whole, however, the Ten Commandments is well researched, well thought-out, and very insightful. I highly recommend the book to anyone who can approach Judeo-Christian morality with at least an open-mind.

[Paula TwoBears · Rating 1 out of 5]

Preachy and not that smart.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit wordy: 300 pages; should have been half that. Her Introduction describing her conversion to Judaism was thrilling, tear-jerking, and profound.

Here and there throughout the book I scribbled, Dr Laura, the Theonomist! I wish all Christians could handle God's whole Law-Word so simply and plainly as she. Her comments on divorce are particularly useful, contra Dr Piper and other Christian dribble on the subject.

Speaking of Christians, it is remark-able that on the one hand, she claims identity with and claims to speak for "orthodox" Jewdaism, she frequently references the New Testament to punctuate some of her points. Significantly, she quotes out Lord Jesus on page 219-220 to point out the standard for a lawful divorce is "adultery" and other such heinous crimes.

Other allusions to a New Testament faith are found on pages 13, 38, 88, 92, 122, and 195 (and then I stopped counting.) It would be nice to see Dr Laura in heaven one day.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

WORTH READING

Obviously from a Jewish perspective, but very inclusive of other faiths. Gives a very good application of God's Law to people's everyday issues of life! A good read. Keeps you interestef, though a little long. Not as good as her other books.

[XOX · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a load of crap. Horrible book. Do not waste money or time.

[Nicholas Maulucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

thorough book. I have always been a Schlesinger fan. I used to listen to her show while running leads for truegreen in south Chicago. love her bluntness. love her moral stand (mostly). her ethical teaching A+. this book takes a thorough look at the ten commandments. I love her ethical outlook. her ethics put the ethics of many Christians I know to shame. her writing is a moral breath of fresh air in a post modern, situation-ethic, tolerant society. a good read for all youth. enjoyed it and its practicality.

[Jenny]

I couldn't get past the second chapter. I thought that I would learn something from reading this book but I was wrong. When she says that when the scriptures say that Moses saw God "face to face" it isn't to be taken literally, I realized there is nothing that she can teach me about God and the ten commandments. Don't waste your time reading this. If you want to learn about God and His commandments read the Standard Works and listen to the prophets. (-:

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an earlier book than the others I've read of hers and she offered some valuable insights. I didn't completely agree with everything she said but it was a good read and food for thought. BTW, she did say that Mormons don't drink caffeine, not true. It is the coffee and tea (green or black), hot or cold, with or without caffeine from which we abstain.

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5 stars, but only because the writing was a little dry. But I enjoyed the insight to the Jewish faith and I appreciated the broad application of the ten commandments. I disagreed with certain theological points but dr Laura and the rabbi are right on with the interpretation of the commandments and how they still apply to modern life. It made me think.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read it cover to cover I only picked out the parts that looked good to me. I enjoyed reading how Dr. Laura came to believe there was a God, she was not raised believing in any faith. Her overall theme was "Where there is no God all things are permitted."

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a quick read - there is too much philosophy for that - but it is a very excellent thought-provoking book about the relevance of God's commandments for our individual lives and collective society today. Highly recommended!

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

good beginning

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite Dr. Laura book.

[Conni Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, read it when Kathrine was about 5 years old.
I couldn't find the book online so I just posted it as an audio cassette. Who even has cassettes anymore?

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good content, but kind of dry...her writing got better as she went, and this was an earlier book.

[Rose]

296.3 Sch

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me think ! Great broad perspective on the ten commandments.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had some good reminders and points that made me think, but it was not how I want to spend my reading time.

[Clint Mccain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so bad viewpoint from a Jewish (non-Christian) perspective!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura usually has much in her books to learn and I have read several her books. This was one the better ones.

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting analysis of the Ten Commandments and how Ms Schlessinger thinks they should be applied today.

[JP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting mix of moral principle, Jewish law, and universal religious doctrine.

[Georgette Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every Christian! A must read for every one who wishes to learn more about the 10 commandments. Well written!

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful. Good advice on applying the 10 commandments to modern-day life.