Categories of Commandments and the Difference between the Law of Moses and the Ten Commandments
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Question
Good day, I am studying the Bible and would very much like to hear information about the Torah to understand more. I would be grateful for an answer: 1. Are the laws of the Torah grouped into different types of laws? If so, what types of laws are there in the Torah? 2. Is there any difference between the concepts of the Law of Moses and the Ten Commandments? Thank you for your attention.
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your questions.
Regarding your first question, you are indeed correct. The 613 commandments of the Torah are divided into three categories, which in Hebrew are called "Mishpatim," "Edut," and "Chukim."
"Mishpatim" (literally "laws") are commandments whose meaning is logical and self-evident. For example, this includes the prohibition of murder, the command to conduct business honestly, etc.
"Edut" (literally "testimonies") are commandments whose primary purpose is to remind us of the miracles that the Almighty performed for the Jewish people throughout history. Perhaps the most prominent example of such a commandment is Shabbat. Every week, the Jewish people observe Shabbat, refraining from work to "testify" that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Similarly, we celebrate Passover in memory of the Exodus from Egypt.
"Chukim" are non-rational commandments that, at first glance, have no logically comprehensible meaning. This includes, for example, the prohibition against eating pork or wearing garments woven from a mixture of wool and linen. Although we do not understand the meaning of these commandments, we still observe them because the Almighty commands us to do so in the Torah.
Regarding your second question, indeed, the Sinai revelation and the giving of the Ten Commandments is a major historical event. However, we believe that all the commandments of the Torah are of equal value. It is necessary to observe all the commandments, even if some may seem "less important" to us. Moreover, there is an opinion that all the commandments of the Torah were given at Sinai, although it is explicitly stated only concerning the Ten Commandments.
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