Did you know there are 613 commands in the books of Moses? This is one of those random facts that seems to be making its way into “common knowledge,” but I also know there are many who still don’t know that is the official tally.
Where do we get that number? I understand it originates from a saying in the Talmud:
There were 613 mitzvot stated to Moses in the Torah, consisting of 365 prohibitions corresponding to the number of days in the solar year, and 248 positive mitzvot corresponding to the number of a person’s limbs.[1]
The list of commandments isn’t given in this same resource. It’s just stated as fact. From this, many authors and commentators have gone through and listed out the various laws – lists which are readily available for you to review should you have the desire.
As it happens, through various life circumstances and discussions, I’ve found myself in a place desiring to search out these 613 commands myself – but, not in the Torah of Moses. I’ve got it in my heart to search out these instructions within the confines of the New Testament.
A little about my worldview and Biblical understanding: I don’t accept the common teaching of “the law was nailed to the cross.” Personally, I outright reject it. I will agree the curse was nailed to the cross, but the Torah is not a curse. The Torah is our instruction book on how to live life to its fullest potential while bringing joy, hope, and blessing to everyone we come across along our path.
When I read the Gospel accounts of Yeshua (Jesus) going about His ministry, I see Him bringing real world applications to many of the commandments. Far from dismissing them or diminishing them on the Cross, He is making them real and applicable to the everyday believer, and His disciples continue this pattern in their epistles.
Jesus doesn’t just do this with the “honor your parents” command, but He brings an everyday application, understanding, and teaching to commands that could otherwise not be performed outside of the Temple. But, I’m getting ahead of myself…
Full disclosure, I’m rewriting this introduction (for a second time) after I’ve already started searching for these commandments. Before beginning to share with whoever might care to read, I wanted to have a bit of a “proof of concept” to ensure I’m not crazy. Well…I am a little crazy. Perhaps not so much about this, though. Time will tell!
I’ve wrestled with whether or not to share this new journey. Quite a bit actually! I go back and forth with the question: Is it just for me or do I share it? I’m not even sure yet why God has put me on this adventure as I’m sure there are no doubt thousands of people that could do it better than I can.
While thinking through this, I was reminded of my friend Carl a few years ago who asked our Pastor to teach him the 613 laws of Torah. It’s something we are all lacking to some degree, even if we don’t know it. Perhaps, with His guidance, we can bring out a little more of our Master’s heart from the Apostolic Writings. Far from diminishing God’s blessing of the Torah, I’m hoping to discover our Master Jesus the Messiah expounding on these words as I sit at His feet to learn. If you travel along, I hope you enjoy yourself!
Some housekeeping items:
- I will be using the Mishneh Torah to walk through the commandments. This is a list enumerated by Maimonides and the list I see quoted most often.
- The commands are split into positive (thou shalt) and negative (thou shalt not) teachings. I’m starting out with the positive commandments for no particular reason other than it was the link I followed first in my research.
- I have no idea how fast or slow I will get through the list. Please be patient as some commands are already proving to take a fair amount of research time.
- I have no idea if I will be able to find all 613 commandments. While I’m encouraged by the results I have already, I have a long way to go. If I can’t find one, I’ll move on and perhaps come back to search some more later.
- I am open to conversation and rebuttals to my findings. I am (obviously) not an authority on this subject. Share what you find and if you feel the need to tell me I’m wrong, please don’t just say I’m wrong and walk away. Please be kind! Both in your words and in your willingness to expound on why I may be wrong so I can learn and grow and perhaps even pull down a post to rethink it.
- I quote Scripture a lot, but there is no single translation you will see me quoting. Often times I have at least three open and I grab the quotes from whichever one my mouse lands on. Most of the time, there is no rhyme or reason. Sometimes I will purposely avoid using a Messianic Jewish translation as the transliterated Hebrew isn’t always widely understood. Other times, such as in P29 I will use specific translations and I will strive to mention when I do. Other than that, please consider the selected translation happenstance.
- I use the terms Jew and Jewish synonymously with Israel, Israelite, and Hebrew similar to the way the Apostles do in the Epistles. Please know this vernacular is not meant to offend you or anyone else and that I am very aware of the various theological understandings.
- When I’m stuck or I don’t know where to start, I utilize non-Biblical Jewish literature to discover the cultural view. I do not put these resources on the same authoritative level as Scripture (no one does), but they unquestionably shine a light on how the culture understands our Master’s words.
I’ve already had multiple people express excitement over this project. I hope you enjoy this new journey with me. I’m looking forward to seeing the revelations of God come to life in a new way as I explore and I look forward to you joining me should you decide to!
With that, let’s jump in with P1, our first positive commandment.
Shalom