Couldn't help listening in. To clarify Susan's remark about the original Hebrew...Exodus 20:3 reads Lo yih'yeh lechah elohim acherim al panai. A fairly literal translation might be, "There will not be, for you, other gods before my face." The newest (2001) translation of the Torah -- the first five books of the Bible -- in the Conservative Jewish tradition (you think you guys are the only ones with sects and schisms?!) gives that verse as: "You shall have no other gods besides Me." The commentary on this verse states: "Some take the words translated as 'besides Me' (al panai) to mean 'in addition to,' not only 'in place of.' It is forbidden to worship idols along with God. Arama takes this passage not as a prohibition but as a promise: As long as you have Me, you will not need any others." Then, the commentary on Deuteronomy 5:7 (same verse, different location), says: "Beside me: Hebrew al panai; literally, "in addition to Me" or "in opposition to Me." You pays your money and you takes your choice!

By the way, to add to the jumble, the Torah makes no mention of "Ten Commandments". The Hebrew word for "commandment" is mitzvah, which is not used in relation to these verses. They are referred to as aseret ha-d'varim, "The Ten Words/Statements/Pronouncements". The Hebrew was translated into Greek as deka logoi, which became the more accurate English word, "Decalogue".

Shaloha,
Mark

You rang? **BG**
At your service...
- el joeclone -