Great Commandment

The Great Commandment is a significant concept found within the New Testament. It refers to a specific set of instructions shared by Jesus of Nazareth. This teaching appears in three different Gospel accounts. These are the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

The term describes what many consider to be the most important religious duties. These rules guide how followers relate to God and to other people. They serve as a foundational guide for moral and spiritual life.

To understand the mechanism of this teaching, one must look at its two parts. The first part focuses on the relationship between a person and God. Jesus stated that the Lord is one God. The second part focuses on the relationship between people. This is often called the command to love one's neighbor. While Jesus was asked specifically about the first commandment, he included the second in his response.

This pairing creates a complete system of ethics. It connects vertical devotion to God with horizontal devotion to humanity.

There are distinct ways these commandments are categorized. Most traditions identify the command to love God as the first and greatest commandment. The instruction to love one's neighbor is called the second great commandment. Some scholars view the second part as a form of the Golden Rule. This is a principle of treating others as one would want to be treated. The relationship between these two parts is a subject of different views. Some see them as separate duties, while others see them as deeply connected.

The history of these commandments reaches back to the Old Testament. They were originally intended to be obeyed by the Jewish people. They are rooted in the books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. The first commandment draws heavily from the Shema Yisrael. This is a central Jewish prayer.

The Shema Yisrael contains the phrase: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy might." This ancient text provides the theological basis for the Great Commandment.

Observant Jews maintain a specific practice regarding these words. They recite the Shema Yisrael twice every day. These recitations occur during the morning prayers, known as Shacharit, and the evening prayers, known as Maariv.

This consistent practice keeps the commandment at the center of daily life. Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz offered a specific interpretation of this duty. He suggested it means acting in a way that makes God beloved by all His creatures. He believed this could be achieved through deeds of kindness, similar to the actions of Abraham.

Different scholars have provided various insights into the importance of these rules. The commentator Adam Clarke noted the central nature of the command to love God. In Jewish tradition, the concept of sanctifying God's name is also vital. This involves conducting oneself in a way that prevents the name of God from being dishonored. Some interpretations suggest this includes a willingness to surrender life or fortune for the faith.

These details show the deep commitment required by the commandment.

The Great Commandment connects to several broader religious and philosophical systems. For most Christian denominations, these two commandments form the very core of the religion. They bridge the gap between ancient biblical law and Christian ethics. The structure of the teaching might also reflect the seven rules, or Middot, of Hillel. One of these rules is called Kal wa-ḥomer.

By linking these ideas, the Great Commandment remains a vital part of religious study and practice.