Judaism gave Western civilization many things, but one of the most important is that it laid down the foundation of Law. The Ten Commandments and many other elements of Hebrew law provided a major source for the development of Western legal systems and democracy.

Three thousand years ago, the ancient Hebrews developed the idea of monotheism, the belief in one G-d. They believed that G-d gave them laws to regulate their society, their religious practices, and their relationships with other people.

Conquered by the Babylonians and later by the Romans, the Hebrews eventually became a scattered people, living in many countries under different legal systems. But they continued to develop their own law and tried to follow it even in foreign lands. Their law was based on the Ten Commandments and other sacred writings, which today we find in the Hebrew Bible. In developing their law, they sometimes borrowed legal concepts from other civilizations as well as passing on their own ideas. Jewish law influenced Roman law, English law, and America’s Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

Equality – The Torah teaches that G-d created Adam and Eve, the first humans, the parents of all peoples. Thus, all humans are born equal and should be treated equally by the law. This is today recognized as a major principle of law.

The Rule of Law – The Torah does not recognize the idea of kings ruling by divine right. According to tradition, the Hebrew people made Saul their first king in 1030 BCE when enemy nations threatened their survival. But Saul and the other Hebrew kings that followed him were never considered to be gods or high priests with the power to interpret G-d’s will. Hebrew kings, like everyone else, had to obey the Ten Commandments and the other laws of the Torah. The written Torah, not the whims of kings, was considered the law of the land.

Majority Rule and Democracy – The Hebrew concept of majority rule comes from the Torah’s command to “follow the multitude.” The majority decided disputes among scholars on the meaning of G-d’s laws, the court decisions of judges, and the local acts of Jewish communities.

Since Jewish people lived under the rule of foreign nations after 70 BCE, they practiced only limited forms of self-government. By the 12th century, however, many countries permitted Jewish communities to elect local town councils, the “Seven Good Men of the City.” These councils, chosen by the majority, supervised religious, economic, educational, and charity activities. The entire community often decided important questions at a town meeting.

Freedom of Religion and Speech

Being born a Jew makes one obligated to follow the Torah.

A tradition of free speech existed among the Hebrews. Hebrew prophets openly spoke out against their kings and the people for failing to follow the Torah.

This is a good time to remember who we are.