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The Ten Commandments: How Our Most Ancient Moral Text Can Renew Modern Life
ACROSS THE WESTERN WORLD, the Ten Commandments have become a source of inspiration and controversy, whether in court rulings, in film and literature, or as a religious icon gracing houses of worship of every denomination. But what do they really mean? According to polls, less than half of all Americans can even name more than four of them. For most of us, agnostics and faithful alike, they have been relegated to the level of a symbol, their teachings all but forgotten. In Western life today, the Ten Commandments are everywhere--except where we need them most. In The Ten Commandments, David Hazony offers a powerful new look at our most venerable moral text. Combining a fresh reading of the Bible's most riveting stories with a fearless exploration of what ails society today, Hazony shows that the Ten Commandments are not just a set of obscure laws but encapsulate a valuable, relevant approach to life. The Ten Commandments begins with a daring Although they have become a universally recognizable symbol of biblically based religion, they are not, strictly speaking, a religious text. Rather than addressing faith or mystical realms, they contain a coherent prescription for how to make a better world. At their core stands what Hazony calls the "spirit of redemption," which he describes as one of the two basic spiritual components of Western civilization. While the Greeks gave us the "spirit of reason," teaching that we should be free to explore and express our views, the spirit of redemption teaches that every individual can, and should, act to improve the world. This spirit reached us from ancient Israel and has stood at the heart of the greatest social movements in our history. Going through the commandments one by one, Hazony shows how each represents a poignant declaration about honesty, the self, life, love, freedom, community, and inner peace. Each commandment adds another piece to the puzzle of how the redemptive spirit may help us become more caring, world-changing individuals.Part memoir, part scholarship, part manifesto for a vital approach to life, The Ten Commandments tackles some of the most painful human questions that stand at the heart of who we are as modern, thinking people--and offers answers that are sure to start a new discussion about the meaning of one of our most enduring, yet least understood, traditions.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 7, 2010
2 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
David Hazony
26 books41 followersDavid Hazony is the editor of "Young Zionist Voices: A New Generation Speaks Out" (Wicked Son, 2024; order: https://www.amazon.com/Young-Zionist-...) and "Jewish Priorities: Sixty-Five Proposals for the Future of Our Peopls (Wicked Son, 2023). (Order here: https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Priorit... )
His first book, "The Ten Commandments: How Our Most Ancient Moral Text Can Renew Modern Life" (Scribner, 2010), was a finalist for the 2010 National Jewish Book Award.
From 2004-2007, Hazony served as editor-in-chief of Azure, the quarterly journal of Jewish public thought published by the Shalem Center. He completed his PhD at Hebrew University in Jewish Philosophy, and has focused his research on the thought of Eliezer Berkovits, including two major essays on his thought, and editing two volumes of Berkovits' writings.
Hazony also translated Emunah Elon's novel "If You Awaken Love," which was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award in 2007; and Uri Bar-Joseph's Bestseller "The Angel" (HarperCollins, 2014).
He is the Director and Steinhardt Senior Fellow at the Z3 Institute for Jewish Priorities.
From 2013-2017, he moved to Washington DC where he served as Founding Editor of The Tower Magazine, a publication covering politics and culture of the Middle East.
He lives in Jerusalem.
His first book, "The Ten Commandments: How Our Most Ancient Moral Text Can Renew Modern Life" (Scribner, 2010), was a finalist for the 2010 National Jewish Book Award.
From 2004-2007, Hazony served as editor-in-chief of Azure, the quarterly journal of Jewish public thought published by the Shalem Center. He completed his PhD at Hebrew University in Jewish Philosophy, and has focused his research on the thought of Eliezer Berkovits, including two major essays on his thought, and editing two volumes of Berkovits' writings.
Hazony also translated Emunah Elon's novel "If You Awaken Love," which was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award in 2007; and Uri Bar-Joseph's Bestseller "The Angel" (HarperCollins, 2014).
He is the Director and Steinhardt Senior Fellow at the Z3 Institute for Jewish Priorities.
From 2013-2017, he moved to Washington DC where he served as Founding Editor of The Tower Magazine, a publication covering politics and culture of the Middle East.
He lives in Jerusalem.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 30, 2020
About the only thing I had an issue with in this book is the fact that my own view of the Talmud is far less than that of the author. This is a book written by a conservative or Orthodox Jew for someone who at least has a belief that the Talmud has insight to give to contemporary readers. I would have liked to have seen more biblical exegesis and fewer stories from the Talmud. It is striking to see how the author views the Bible, including the Ten Commandments, through the filter of what centuries of uninspired rabbis thought about it. That said, the author is fundamentally right that paying attention to the Ten Commandments would help to renew modern life. I don't think it very likely that this will happen, but to the extent that it is possible, it is something that should be encouraged and this book is one I can recommend to a reader who is at least willing to read stories about how it is that failing to stick up for a guest may have helped sabotage Jewish freedom in Rome and other such likely imaginative tales.
This book is about 250 pages long and opens with a discussion of the Ten Commandments and an introduction that asks the reader if he or she can name all ten. After that the author discusses the relationship of the Ten Commandments with redemption (1) concerning the freedom from slavery and sin. There is then a discussion about the relationship of morality and loneliness (2) as well as the way in which our lies destroy us (3) when when we take the names and reputations of God and others in vain. After that the author discusses the Sabbath as an aspect of redemption (4) and also looks at honoring parents as an important matter of the wisdom of the heart (5). The commandment against murder allows the author to reflect upon the meaning of life (6) and the commandment against adultery allows the author to contrast our penchant for sexual sins in the present evil age with the biblical commandment to enjoy sexuality within godly marriage (7). There is a chapter on making room for others (8) as well as a look at the relationship of our communities and ourselves when it comes to integrity (9). Finally, the book ends with a discussion about peace and the avoidance of envy and resentment (10) as well as the human element in society as well as acknowledgements, notes, and an index.
One of the more intriguing aspects of this book is that it reminded me that there are at least three different ways to view and count the Ten Commandments, and that this book has a different one than either the Protestant or Catholic ones that I am more familiar with (the Catholic one hides the anti-idolatry command in the first commandment and this one similarly conflates the first and second commandments to focus on the identity of God as the only God and having no other gods as being connected to avoiding making graven images. Be that as it may, the author has a great deal of respect for the Bible and its applications and makes some very strong points about the implications of the Ten Commandments in our daily lives, some of which we may all do better than others. If the author is not one whose every word I can endorse, he is someone who gives plenty of food for thought and reflection and that is something to appreciate even if it is occasionally a bit irritating and frustrating as well. But sometimes a book is worth reading even when it comes from a very different perspective given it has an otherwise very similar worldview.
This book is about 250 pages long and opens with a discussion of the Ten Commandments and an introduction that asks the reader if he or she can name all ten. After that the author discusses the relationship of the Ten Commandments with redemption (1) concerning the freedom from slavery and sin. There is then a discussion about the relationship of morality and loneliness (2) as well as the way in which our lies destroy us (3) when when we take the names and reputations of God and others in vain. After that the author discusses the Sabbath as an aspect of redemption (4) and also looks at honoring parents as an important matter of the wisdom of the heart (5). The commandment against murder allows the author to reflect upon the meaning of life (6) and the commandment against adultery allows the author to contrast our penchant for sexual sins in the present evil age with the biblical commandment to enjoy sexuality within godly marriage (7). There is a chapter on making room for others (8) as well as a look at the relationship of our communities and ourselves when it comes to integrity (9). Finally, the book ends with a discussion about peace and the avoidance of envy and resentment (10) as well as the human element in society as well as acknowledgements, notes, and an index.
One of the more intriguing aspects of this book is that it reminded me that there are at least three different ways to view and count the Ten Commandments, and that this book has a different one than either the Protestant or Catholic ones that I am more familiar with (the Catholic one hides the anti-idolatry command in the first commandment and this one similarly conflates the first and second commandments to focus on the identity of God as the only God and having no other gods as being connected to avoiding making graven images. Be that as it may, the author has a great deal of respect for the Bible and its applications and makes some very strong points about the implications of the Ten Commandments in our daily lives, some of which we may all do better than others. If the author is not one whose every word I can endorse, he is someone who gives plenty of food for thought and reflection and that is something to appreciate even if it is occasionally a bit irritating and frustrating as well. But sometimes a book is worth reading even when it comes from a very different perspective given it has an otherwise very similar worldview.
October 3, 2017
I can appreciate this Jewish author's work on the commandments from a moral viewpoint. I tend to view the Old Testament through more of a spiritual lens than he does, but there were plenty of good bits to chew on.
October 14, 2016
I have often been curious about how Jewish tradition interprets the Old Testament. This book is definitely rooted in the Jewish tradition.
The term Judaeo-Christian tradition often is used to paper over the fact that we have very different ways of reading the old testament and very different ways of looking at God. One example that really stood out for me was the section on the commandment "You shall not commit adultery." The author here makes the case that the highest kind of love is love between a man and a woman in marriage. Traditional Christian thought is that love of God and God's love for us are the highest kind of love.
The term Judaeo-Christian tradition often is used to paper over the fact that we have very different ways of reading the old testament and very different ways of looking at God. One example that really stood out for me was the section on the commandment "You shall not commit adultery." The author here makes the case that the highest kind of love is love between a man and a woman in marriage. Traditional Christian thought is that love of God and God's love for us are the highest kind of love.
April 7, 2015
The Ten Commandments (By David Hazony) is a very realistic, traditional, but, truly modern book that addresses Moses’ ten ‘Laws’ factually. Hazony takes ideal measures while handling each of the ten verses of the commandments as fragments of human beings’ versatile measures which should be taken with due regards to respect, integrity, compassion, forgiveness, understanding, lust, violence, falsehood, adultery, poverty and treason. The format of the writing which the author uses to address the Ten Commandments is very much residing on in-depth and informative analysis of both today’s world and that of the biblical. The idea behind redemption and that of the real significance of the first commandment, is displayed through variable perspectives on God as the latter being the deliverer from misery. The central story of the bible is taken to a more relevant stand with meaningful and consistent exploration of modern social issues put into play. Hazony compares moral truth to the dictation of power in a firm display of its strong ties to deception, treason and dishonesty. The remaining nine commandments are ignited with most considerations given to the fundamental biblical teachings. They are also displayed with vivid and factual examples given to address the causes of human existence on our planet. The genuine man and the genuine integrity of man are strongly brought forward with an emphasis on the veridical truth. The Sabbath and its essences are commemorated with its primal relationship to better humanity’s existence. The respecting and honouring of parents are identified as the most universally accepted teaching that matters to sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, etc., belonging to a family unit. The fulfilling of desires of parents and the honouring of their wishes are established as one of the most accepted ideals known to mankind. The meaning of life is addressed most vividly with parents as the ones most credited for it. Adultery and its immoral nature are fragmented into its most despicable trajectories while the author involves the idea of betrayal and marital infidelity. Also, David Hazony brings the eighth commandment to life by stressing on the idea of corruption and biblical upheaval. A strong sense of what communities and community service serves to us as humans is tied to the idea of brotherhood and social harmony—the author gets a grip of the ninth commandment by depicting racism, political unrest and violence as the consequences of disrespect to ones’ neighbours. Hazony blends both biblical traditions and its virtues while putting happenings in today’s world in perspective.
February 5, 2013
David Hazony's The Ten Commandments is a solid exploration of ways in which the devarim are particularly relevant to the modern world. Though written from a Jewish perspective, the lessons Hazony draws from his subject are fairly ecumenical and will likely resonate for many across the religious and secular spectrum. This is, however, part of the book's weakness as well, in that much of the material is presented at a level of abstraction that robs it of a real spiritual or intellectual heft.
The book devotes a single chapter to each of the ten commandments (so-called, though strictly speaking only nine of them are actually commandments). The segues between chapters on occasion feel a little forced and unnecessary. Fortunately, Hazony's strongest and most intriguing discussion was reserved for the tenth commandment ("You shall not covet your neighbor's house...."). As with many of the other chapters, Hazony spends less time talking about the commandment specifically enumerated and more time looking into the broader principles at work. In the case of this last commandment, he spins out an insightful analysis of the role that insecurity plays in leading us astray in so many areas of our life. It is a discussion which goes beyond simple pop-psychology and argues that insecurity, something of which we are all guilty, in fact throws up some serious moral hazards.
Overall, the book sparkles here and there with some truly thoughtul gems. However, its strengths do not shine through consistently.
The book devotes a single chapter to each of the ten commandments (so-called, though strictly speaking only nine of them are actually commandments). The segues between chapters on occasion feel a little forced and unnecessary. Fortunately, Hazony's strongest and most intriguing discussion was reserved for the tenth commandment ("You shall not covet your neighbor's house...."). As with many of the other chapters, Hazony spends less time talking about the commandment specifically enumerated and more time looking into the broader principles at work. In the case of this last commandment, he spins out an insightful analysis of the role that insecurity plays in leading us astray in so many areas of our life. It is a discussion which goes beyond simple pop-psychology and argues that insecurity, something of which we are all guilty, in fact throws up some serious moral hazards.
Overall, the book sparkles here and there with some truly thoughtul gems. However, its strengths do not shine through consistently.
April 17, 2011
I am only on chapter 5 (of an obvious 10) and I adore this book. There are so many truly awful books on this important subject (Dr. Laura springs to mind). As a progressive but observant reform Jew, I feel that most texts on the 10 commandments either side step the difficult issue of what do we do with a God who gives "utterances" (which is a far better translation of the Hebrew) or they march in lock step to the simple drum beat of fundamentalism. This book walks a careful elegant line between scholarship and moral prescription. It's not particularly heady, but challenging. This text examines the ten commandments with in their historical and cultural contexts, but does not leave them there.
July 3, 2011
A very well written, interesting, and instructive book. The author starts from the Ten Commandments and uses them as a base to explore or touch on the whole Bible, rabbinic lore, Mark Twain, C.S. Lewis, on and on. Each Commandment gets its own essay.
His interpretations of the few lines of the Commandments are thought-provoking, but sometimes too inventive for me. He reminded me of reading G.K.Chesterton -- so smooth that he can make you think that white is black and black is white. I particularly disagreed with Hazony saying that coveting your neighbor's house and wife etc. is caused by the sin of insecurity. A lot of criminals seem quite sure of themselves to me.
His interpretations of the few lines of the Commandments are thought-provoking, but sometimes too inventive for me. He reminded me of reading G.K.Chesterton -- so smooth that he can make you think that white is black and black is white. I particularly disagreed with Hazony saying that coveting your neighbor's house and wife etc. is caused by the sin of insecurity. A lot of criminals seem quite sure of themselves to me.
July 16, 2021
I sometimes find it refreshing to read a very different sort of interpretation of familiar Scriptural passages. While it's not clear that some of the ideas Hazony discusses are actually what was meant when the Ten Commandments were written in the book of Exodus, his approach offers a lot of food for thought as to the meanings that can be drawn from them.
May 1, 2011
I only give five stars to books that change the way I think...or that I think should change my life. This is one.
November 19, 2012
Truly an inspiring book about how to incorporate the values of the Ten Commandments into our everyday lives.
Want to read
March 4, 2014Mentioned on webinar list for New England United Methodist Conference 3/4/14
December 28, 2014
Outstanding in-depth analysis of the deeper and often surprising meaning of the Ten Commandments. Good shul reading.
January 23, 2016
Instructive, but it sure makes understanding the Ten Commandments a complicated affair. I'd have to read it two or three more times to really absorb it all.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews