When Moses addressed the Israelites in Parashat Vaetchanan, standing on the threshold of the Promised Land, his message was clear and urgent: Keep the commandments and you will live; abandon them and you will be driven from the land.

“You must observe His rules and His commandments that I am commanding you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you, and so that you may endure in the land that God, your God, is giving to you forever.”

Deuteronomy 4:40

It wasn’t a political warning. It wasn’t about borders, treaties, or weapons. It was spiritual. Covenantal. National.

He reminded them: God didn’t choose you because you were many or mighty. He chose you because He loved you. And what does God ask in return? Not sacrifices, not empty rituals, but love expressed through loyalty. Loyalty shown in deeds—by keeping His commandments and walking in His ways.

That covenant stands today.

Amid a global spike in antisemitism, war in Israel, and growing divides between Jews in Israel and the Diaspora as well as secular and religious Jews in Israel, it’s time to return to the constitutional core of Jewish life: the Ten Commandments.

There are 613 commandments in the Torah, but these ten were spoken directly by God to the entire nation at Sinai. They were repeated again by Moses in Deuteronomy for a reason. They are not just laws—they are foundations.

If we want to stay in the Land we must invest in them.

Here are ten national action items for Israeli and Diaspora Jews alike to bring the Aseret HaDibrot back to life:

—

1. “I am the Lord your God” — Reclaim Faith

In Israel: Integrate emunah (faith) into national identity, not just religion. Teach the purpose of Jewish existence in the IDF, sherut leumi, and public schools.

In the Diaspora: Strengthen Jewish schools and programs that teach belief as something deeper than ethnicity or culture. Anchor identity in divine purpose.

The Shema prayer is in this parsha, a prayer to be read aloud with concentration. Let each session of the Knesset and Jewish  day schools begin with that first sentence.

—

2. No Other Gods — Confront Idolatry

In Israel: Take on modern idols—power, tech, money. Demand spiritual accountability from the startup- scaleup nation.

In the Diaspora: Counter the worship of celebrity and culture with Jewish meaning and humility. Lead with Jewish ethics, not trendiness.

Focus on Humble Faith to moderate the human tendency to exaggerate our worth and blind us to God’s gifts.

—

3. Do Not Take God’s Name in Vain — Elevate Speech

In Israel: Clean up public discourse. Hold politicians, rabbis, and influencers accountable for words that desecrate God’s name.

In the Diaspora: Promote reverence and honesty in all Jewish communication—online, in media, and in leadership.

We all carry a global megaphone with us at all times of the day. Beware of proclamations and defamations made in the name of Judaism.

—

4. Keep the Sabbath — Build National Unity

In Israel: The Haredi community must not sit out the war. They must serve through sherut leumi by helping others keep Shabbat—cooking meals, opening homes, dancing in the streets. Make Shabbat the shared joy of the nation.

In the Diaspora: Host Shabbat for unaffiliated Jews. Create communal spaces that let people taste sacred time—no judgment, just joy.

Jews have the special opportunity to show each other and the world the special nature of Shabbat. Make it holy for you and your family. From there, let it spread outward to the community, country and civilization.

—

5. Honor Your Father and Mother — Care for the Elderly

In Israel: Train Israeli youth in elder care. It’s a disgrace that our Holocaust survivors and parents are mostly cared for by foreign workers.

In the Diaspora: Create teen-elder programs that pass down memory and dignity. Jewish continuity depends on honoring the past.

Modern psychology has taught many of us to center our being on ourselves and blame parents for our situations. Even – or especially – if that’s true, spend time showing honor to parents and in-laws. It is a pathway for a healthy society.

—

6. Do Not Murder — Value All Life

In Israel: Try to end domestic violence and youth crime. Reclaim the sanctity of life as a national value, not just a slogan.

In the Diaspora: Jews must lead on mental health and abortion, the leading causes of preventable death.

Every life is a world. Whether one is in favor or opposed to abortion, treat life with the utmost respect and engage in debates that are centered on life.

—

7. Do Not Commit Adultery — Strengthen Families

In Israel: Fund pre-marriage education and family counseling. Healthy families are the front line of Jewish survival.

In the Diaspora: Promote Jewish relationships and marriage through values-based education—not just dating apps.

Reorient Friday night dinners away from invited company for two Sabbaths every month to focus on personal relationships.

—

8. Do Not Steal — Demand Integrity

In Israel: Tackle corruption. Ethical leadership is not optional in a holy land.

In the Diaspora: Teach financial and business ethics as part of Torah. Kiddush Hashem starts in the workplace.

At an early age, allow children to reserve certain toys for personal use as opposed to sharing with friends; it allows them to incorporate the idea of ownership and space both for themselves and others.

—

9. Do Not Bear False Witness — Seek Truth

In Israel: End the plague of slander and fake news in politics and media. Truth is a national security issue.

In the Diaspora: Speak with compassion and accuracy. Lashon hara is poison. Truth builds communities.

—

10. Do Not Covet — Practice Gratitude

In Israel: Reduce economic resentment by promoting gratitude and generosity. Envy destroys unity.

In the Diaspora: Celebrate others’ success. Give, volunteer, and stop keeping score.

Being truly grateful involves the public declaration of appreciation: to God in prayer, and fellow person in thanks. It centers the interplay between ourselves and the world in a healthy dynamic.

—

Conclusion: Choose Life

Moses didn’t say this for nothing. The land doesn’t tolerate injustice, idolatry, or apathy. If we want to remain in Eretz Yisrael, we must remember what kept us from here: the first tablets were shattered on diaspora rocks and we wandered in the desert for failing to believe in God’s gift.

We must also remember what brought us to the land: God’s love—and a call to respond in kind.

The Ten Commandments are not old laws. They are today’s mission.