10 (number) - in Religion and Philosophy

In Religion and Philosophy

• References in the Bible, Judaism and Christianity:
  • The Ten Commandments of Exodus and Deuteronomy are considered a cornerstone of Judaism and Christianity.
  • People traditionally tithed one-tenth of their produce. The practice of tithing is still common in Christian churches today, though it is disputed in some circles as to whether or not it is required of Christians.
  • In Deuteronomy 26:12, the Torah commands Jews to give one-tenth of their produce to the poor (Maaser Ani). From this verse and from an earlier verse (Deut. 14:22) there derives a practice for Jews to give one-tenth of all earnings to the poor.
  • Ten Plagues were inflicted on Egypt in Exodus 7-12
  • Jews observe the annual Ten Days of Repentance beginning on Rosh Hashanah and ending on Yom Kippur.
  • In Jewish liturgy, Ten Martyrs are singled out as a group.
  • There are said to be Ten Lost Tribes of Israel (those other than Judah and Benjamin)
  • There are Ten Sephirot in the Kabbalistic Tree of Life
  • The Bible records 10 generations between Adam and Noah, and 10 generations between Noah and Abraham
  • In Judaism, ten men are the required quorum, called a minyan, for prayer services.

• In Pythagoreanism, the number 10 played an important role and was symbolized by the tetractys.