Click here for the Scholar chat schedule.
Email us your question and we'll try to respond within 24 hours.
Type in your email address here:
Select a topic:
Type in your question here:
The Scholar is ready to answer your question. Click the button below to chat now.
A Scholar is currently unavailable at this time, so please check back again. In the meantime you can click here to email Moses your question or search our archives for related topics.
PRINT EMAIL COMMENT
Why is there a commandment against merely coveting1 -- something that happens exclusively inside the mind and can, in fact, serve as inspiration to achieve? I'd appreciate your input, Steve
Answer:
The mind is not only where all our actions begin, but it is a valued realm in its own right. The mind is much more sophisticated and significant than the hand for example. So if we have commandments that regulate the actions of our hands, it would only make sense to have commandments that regulate the mind.
Not all coveting is bad. The commandment specifies what type of coveting: physical possessions and desires. It is OK to covet someone's positive achievements or spiritual accomplishments, since it can inspire you to achieve your own. Additionally, emulation and inspiration is not the same as coveting. One can emulate someone else and be inspired to accomplish something without actually coveting what belongs to the other person.
Footnotes
ADD A COMMENT
Mitzvot » Love thy NeighborJewish Identity » Love thy NeighborMitzvot » ProhibitionsMitzvot » 10 CommandmentsHolidays » Shavuot » 10 Commandments
