How Leviticus 19 Mirrors the Ten Commandments at Sinai

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Kedoshim 3:2

In the Ten Commandments it is written, “I am the LORD your God” (Exodus 20:2), and here, “I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 19:2). In the Ten Commandments it is written, “You shall have no other gods” (Exodus 20:3), and here, “Do not turn unto the idols” (Leviticus 19:4). In the Ten Commandments it is written, “You shall not take” (Exodus 20:7), and here, “You shall not swear by My name falsely” (Leviticus 19:12). In the Ten Commandments it is written, “Remember [the Sabbath day]” (Exodus 20:8), and here it is written, “You shall keep My sabbaths” (Leviticus 19:3). In the Ten Commandments it is written, “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12), and here it is written, “Each one shall fear his mother and his father” (Leviticus 19:3). In the Ten Commandments it is written, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13), and here it is written, “You shall not stand upon the blood of your fellow” (Leviticus 19:16). In the Ten Commandments it is written, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14), and here it is written, “You shall be holy” (Leviticus 19:2). In the Ten Commandments it is written, “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15), and here it is written, “You shall not steal” (Leviticus 19:11). In the Ten Commandments it is written, “You shall not bear [false witness]” (Exodus 20:16), and here it is written, “You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people” (Leviticus 19:16). In the Ten Commandments it is written, “You shall not covet” (Exodus 20:17), and here it is written, “You shall not oppress your fellow, and you shall not rob” (Leviticus 19:13).

Themes

Biblical References