The Ten Commandments – Judaism



The Ten Commandments are the important laws of the Jews which tell the Jewish people how they should live.

Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic (belief in one god) religions, that began over 3500 years ago in Israel.

The Ten Commandments – Judaism

The Ten Commandments are the important laws of the Jews which tell the Jewish people how they should live.

Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic (belief in one god) religions, that began over 3500 years ago in Israel.

Jews believe they are God’s chosen people and that they must set an example of right behaviour to the world. Everything they do is based on the Ten Commandments, also known as the Ten Sayings.

Jews believe that God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on two tablets of stone at Mount Sinai.

They are written in Hebrew, which is the original Jewish language. This event is recorded in Jewish scriptures, as well in the Christian Bible.

  1. You shall have no other gods but me.
  2. You shall not make or worship any idols.
  3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
  4. You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy.
  5. Respect your father and mother.
  6. You must not murder.
  7. You must not take someone else’s husband or wife.
  8. You must not steal.
  9. You must not lie.
  10. You must not be envious.

Fascinating fact: Many countries’ laws are based on the Ten Commandments.

Learning resources

Example Questions

  • Which is the biggest religion in the world?

  • Where was Jesus born?

  • Where is the life of Jesus recorded?

  • What do Christians remember on Good Friday?

  • What is the purpose of the Ten Commandments for Jewish people?

  • In which language are the Ten Commandments written?

  • Name one of the Ten Commandments.

  • What is the Kaaba?

  • Explain something that Muslims do that involves the Kaaba.

  • Why is the Kaaba in Makkah?

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