Israeli Innovation: The Ten Commandments

Long before the startup nation, the Jewish people gave the world one of its most enduring ethical frameworks: the Ten Commandments.

According to Jewish tradition, Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, including these ten short principles that would go on to shape moral thinking for generations.

Their influence extended far beyond Judaism. Ideas about respecting parents, protecting life, telling the truth, respecting property and recognising limits on human behaviour became foundational concepts across much of civilisation.

While legal systems and moral philosophies have evolved over time, the Ten Commandments helped establish a shared moral language that influenced Judaism, Christianity and Western thought more broadly.

Few ideas from the ancient world have proven as enduring or influential.

More than three thousand years later, these ten principles continue to shape how much of the world thinks about right and wrong. 

 Further info: Chabad.org - What are the Ten Commandments?