Pillars of Judaism

By TED ROBERTS, the SCRIBBLER ON THE ROOF

Some say that Judaism stands, in order of sanctity, on the bedrock of the Ten Commandments complimented by the Torah and the Talmud. The Decalogue – those two stone tablets that Moses carried down the mountaintop – is the foundation stone. It’s about deeds, not intentions – not inclinations – not feelings, not even faith.

Overall, Judaism even encourages skepticism. You doubt me? Ask Abraham, who pleaded for a pass for Sodom and Gomorrah, Moses, who tried to turn down his leadership assignment, Job, and Jacob, who wrestled with G-d or his celestial creatures. Hence the name change to Israel. (“He fought with G-d.”)

It seems to reflect the contention that Judaism is a deed-based religion. Ceremonial, decorative, and traditional though it may be, the judgment scroll is charged with behavior toward one’s fellow man. Some feel that the Almighty G-d doesn’t need our love, only our adherence to His divine code of behavior. Or if you want to quibble, maybe obedience to His goodness – maybe you may call that “worship”.

Ten commandments, and only one speaks of intentions, not deeds of the imperfect heart. I believe that in the mainstream of our creed is the belief of a hybrid heart governed by free will. One side, virtue – the other, evil. Or to put it euphemistically, selfishness. And wasn’t the Creator wise enough to understand the survival of the species depended on this bifurcation. Hillel knew it. “If I am not for myself, who is is for me,” he muttered as he took a second lamb chop off the family platter.

So, we return to that exotic 10th Commandment. The only one that ignores action, but bans feeling. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s house, his wife, his new Mercedes. It doesn’t say – don’t seduce his wife or steal his car – it says most strangely, don’t be desirous of his possessions. A clear departure from the other nine in that it’s not instructive of your action, but of your thoughts. It’s like saying, don’t lust for Kim Kardashian.

Lust is G-d-given – necessary for the propagation of the species. It’s a chemical reaction brewed and instilled by the Creator. It is not your choice. But the taming and control of it like other pleasurable urges is really the essence of civilization, which is built upon restraint. I’m covetous of your Mercedes, too. I can’t help it, but a clean, cultural conscience as well as the local police force keeps me from stealing into your driveway and speeding off. And so does the tenth Commandment if you can control your emotions – not a sure thing.

That last commandment, a rarity in that it governs impulse, not action. When the Lord blew life into Adam, His breath conveyed many exotic ingredients far beyond our ken to insure survival of the species. A small part of us is hardwired. Lust, hunger, greed, and avoidance of pain amongst others. Some we share with the animals.

But animals know not G-d. He constructed them without conscience (except to their own young, which is a miracle that makes the parting of the Red Sea seem puny). One can speculate that the Lord breathed twice upon His new form of life, the man Adam. Once to give him a slight streak of divinity and again to give him a strong dose of free will that fostered survival, unlike the other creatures whose behavior was hardwired.

Mankind’s assignment and perhaps the whole meaning of Tikkun Olam is the control of those impulses banned by that strange 10th Commandment.

As Hillel said somewhat ungrammatically, “That what is hateful to thee do not do to your fellow”. The rest, said the Sage, is bells and whistles. A Torah for dummies. Some feel that the Almighty G-d doesn’t need our worship – only our adherence to His divine code. “Walk in His ways,” says Torah. A great and error-free interpretation of thousands of pages of Torah, Talmud, and prophetic advice.