RMPS - Int2/Higher - World Religions - Judaism - Education Scotland

THE MEANS
6. Thou shalt not murder.
The sixth commandment forbids the intentional killing of human
beings, apart from capital punishments imposed by a judicial
tribunal, or in a war for the defence of national and human rights,
or in self-defence. In those circumstances, killing of a human being
is regretfully allowed. However, this requires to be distinguished
from wilful murder or homicide. This commandment stresses the
sanctity of human life by forbidding the intentional killing of a
human being.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
The eighth commandment conveys the importance of respect for
other people’s property by emphasising that taking away someone
else’s property is wrong. This applies to acquiring property by
cheating, embezzlement and forgery, and taking advantage of
someone’s ignorance even if the action might be strictly legal. It is
from this commandment that the laws about injury and
compensation, loans and inheritance have been developed.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
As in the commandment that ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself’ (see section 4, p42), the word ‘neighbour’ here refers to
one’s fellow man. This ninth commandment is concerned with
wrong that is inflicted by word of mouth. So it forbids all forms of
slander, defamation and misrepresentation, whether of an
individual or a group of people defined by race or religion. It also
forbids perjury.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house. Thou shalt not covet
thy neighbour’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant…
nor anything that is thy neighbour’s.
The tenth commandment refers to man’s instincts and impulses of
predatory desire which are the source of most sins committed
against one’s fellow man. The man who uses his self-control
effectively and masters his desires by not desiring his neighbour’s
belongings will not steal, murder or commit adultery. This is
further explained by the Yetzer Harah and Yetzer Tov (see Section
3, p23).
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RMPS: WORLD RELIGIONS – JUDAISM (INT 2, H)
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