Treat Others The Way You Want To Be Treated

Recently, I completed a course from AlephBeta, which was pretty interesting, because it dealt with the hidden structure of the Ten Commandments.

Judaism is synthesized in 613 mitzvot (plural form of the word mitzvah, which means "commandment"). These are, in turn, classified in ten commandments:

1) I am the Lord thy G-d.

2) Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image.

3) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy G-d in vain.

4) Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.

5) Honor thy father and thy mother.

6) Thou shalt not kill.

7) Thou shalt not commit adultery.

8) Thou shalt not steal.

9) Thou shalt not bear false witness.

10) Thou shalt not covet.

As you can observe, they are contained in two tablets, which means that they can be classified into two categories:

- the first five commandments that deal with the relationship between authority figures or creators, like G-d and our parents. This type of relationship could be described as a vertical one. The main message contained is not to destroy someone.

- the last five that deal with the relationship between peers. This type of relationship could be described as a horizontal one. The main message contained is not to violate.

It is interesting how these two groups of five commandments mirror one another. Therefore, we can say that the Ten Commandments contain five principles:

- 1 and 6: recognize the existence of the other.
- 2 and 7: do not betray the relationship.
- 3 and 8: do not violate the abstract/concrete self.
- 4 and 9: safeguard truth.
- 5 and 10: recognize yourself.

In conclusion, we can affirm that the main idea is not to treat others the way you do not want to be treated. However, I like to say it in a more positive way, like on the title: treat others the way you want to be treated.

Those words can even be summarized in just one: respect. And with respect comes love.

R. Akiva could not have said it better: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."

Read this post in Catalan.