Why TWO tablets?

[TorahBoy]

Why were we given the Ten Commandments on two stone tablets, instead of all on one?

The only reason I have found for this, is that some believe that the first five Commandments refer to man's relationship with God, whilst the second refer to man's relationship with man. However, if that is the case, how is the Fifth Commandment, honour your parents, referring to our relationship with God. Surely, if this reason for the division is accurate, there would have been four Commandments on the first tablet, and six on the second tablet.

Beso: Don't bother, mate. I won't even read it......

[Ankou]

perhaps they were on one tablet just double sided. it was ancient custom (as is now with contracts) to present two identicle copies. so the first tablet shows side one and the second tablet shows side 2.

the division of the commandments would be convenient if you believe there were only ten commandments but strictly speking there are more, it was just convenient for early jeudo christians to make it ten with 5 on each, and depending on what bible you are reading they are often in different orders anyway so the theory of the first 4 or 5 being to only yoiur god dont really fit.

[Lonnie]

Sorry mate, I know its not what your after, but my answer is, Moses couldn't get them all on one tablet.,

[TorahBoy]

Wizard66:
Look again.
Chapter 34 Verse 28:
And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he ate no food and drank no water; and he wrote down on the tablets the terms of the covenant, the Ten Commandmernts.

This is one of many instances where the Lord made things harder than before, as punishment. In the first instance he gave to Moses the two tablets already inscribed. Once Moses broke them, in anger at the worship of the golden calf, God effectively said "Right, then. This time you'll have to make your OWN tablets, and inscribe them as I tell you"

But WHY TWO TABLETS?

[Ankou]

as i said, it was probably copying the idea of a duplicate contract.

he wasnt told to write 5 on each so the point you are making is irrelevant.

[jake-the-peg]

You know sometimes reliogions see meaning when it isn't there.

Why two tablets? why a mountain? why was it a bush that was burning and not a rock? why did the Red Sea part and why did Moses not lead them over it walking on water?

Teachers asked such questions find it difficult to answer that that is just the way it happened as people may think that there is a deeper significance that they are unaware of.

So they invent a significance - after all it doesn't hurt, it just strengthens your faith.

Of course the end result is people running around looking for meaning in the tiniest thing.

Ask a priest or rabbi or whatever if there is any detain in their holy book that has no real significance, I'll lay you odds they'll say Everything is significant.

Try it - just to see.

[beso]

There were actually three tablets but Moses dropped one on the way down. Rather than show up with a broken one he left it up the mountain.

[beso]

Not surprised you won't read my contributions TorahWhimp. You have no answer for them.

[mm625]

Perhaps the division is accurate given that God is the father perhaps the honour thy parents was a reference to honouring god

[Lonnie]

Well actually, if you want to know where the Ten Commandments originated, it was the Babylonian code of law, formulated by King Hamurabi, plus they were also set in stone.

[TorahBoy]

Thanks all of you (except Beso, W*nkr) only I finally got up the nerve to ask my Rabbi. A very learned man, indeed.

Here is HIS reply:

The real thing is that �commandment� is an error in translation: The Hebrew reference is ASSERET HADIBROT meaning 10 Sayings. Another understanding is that the first underpins the remaining nine.

So, there we have it.

[HillyHugger]

Because Moses' email was down

[jno]

my guess is the same as Lonnie's. What happens when you're writing a letter (does anyone write letters any more? well, anyway...) and you come to the bottom of a page - you start another page. As jake says, people sometimes look for deeper significance that just isn't there.

[naomi24]

^^ I agree.

[TorahBoy]

Sorry guys.

I just don't buy the 'it has no significance' argument. Whilst I accept that often in stories things happen which are not important, in the case of the Torah, very little is wasted. Every line has some meaning, every action is significant.

My Rabbi says that the first five are relating to man's dealings with God, the second five relate to man's dealings with man.

"Ah, but" I hear you say, "What about the fifth Commandment, to honour your parents. That isn't to do with God, it's to do with man. So surely there should have been four Commandments on the first tablet, and six on the second"

Not so, says Rabbi Walach (a great Rabbi, of much learning). Your parents are your living link backwards through human history, all the way to creation. They are your link with God.

So, there we have it. Problem solved.

[naomi24]

You can make most things fit your agenda if you try hard enough, which is why there are so many religions, and so many divisions in all the different religions, but you believe your rabbi if it makes you happy. Problem solved.

[Panic Button]

You don't believe all this bunkum do you?

In Exodus 21 it tells us that slavery is perfectly OK, and it is alright to sell my daughter.

Am I really supposed to base my life around this 'good book'?

[albaqwerty]

there are more than 10 comandments, i've been told that there are about 230 during the bible. i'll google for more info and get back to you

[Ankou]

well thats conclusive then. would havce saved us all the bother if youd just gone straight to the rabbi.