A terrorist in Colorado attacked a group of Jews marching in support of Israeli hostages who are still held in Gaza, stunning the nation and the Jewish community worldwide. The attacker, an Egyptian national who spent a year planning the assault, screamed “Free Palestine” as he was taken down by bystanders and arrested by police. He told investigators that he wanted to “kill all Zionist people” and vowed to “do it again.”
The attack in a public mall in the city of Boulder was the latest act of hatred against Jews only a week after two Israeli embassy staffers were gunned down in the nation’s capital and just a month after an arson attack on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion in Harrisburg, Pa. Assaults on Jewish businesses, restaurants and Orthodox Jews in traditional religious clothing walking the streets of New York City and synagogue worshippers in Texas seem to be increasing weekly.
This latest outrage—charged as both domestic terrorism and a hate crime by the U.S. Attorney General and the FBI—left two victims in critical condition, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor who suffered severe burn wounds, and injured 10 others. The heinous, premeditated attack left the Jewish world fearful and wondering where and when the next assault will take place.
The anxiety and fear plaguing the Jewish community have been steadily increasing since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the Israeli military response in Gaza starting weeks later. Since then, violent attacks have occurred against Jews worldwide, along with hundreds of pro-Hamas rallies on college campuses and in the streets of major cities, calling for the destruction of Israel, and the shunning and exclusion of Jews from many social activities they once took part in.
“Sadly, none of this is surprising,” the ADL stated. “In fact, it’s entirely predictable. This is precisely where anti-Jewish incitement leads. This is exactly what vicious anti-Zionism enables. Elected officials, community groups, media platforms, faith leaders—all need to commit to taking action before this crisis escalates even further. Stop excusing antisemitic rhetoric. Stop platforming anti-Zionist hate. Stop equivocating when Jews are attacked.”
The office of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis invited faith and civic leaders, as well as members of the community, to honor “Boulder’s “strength, resilience and unity and to stand up against antisemitism and hate.” The community is revising its Jewish Festival for this coming Sunday and offering mental-health resources and updated security measures.
For related support, visit the websites of some of our resource partner organizations: ADL; Hadassah; Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law; and StandWithUs.
Unity: The Ten Commandments and shared values
Honoring the birth of a nation at Mount Sinai, the Jewish festival of Shavuot commemorates the Jewish people receiving the Torah. This pivotal event included the presentation of the Ten Commandments. They are foundational laws that echo across centuries and civilizations, forming the basis of ethical thought and legal systems.
Christians celebrate Pentecost around the same time, building upon Jewish foundations, including the Ten Commandments. Shavuot is a religious observance for Jews and a powerful reminder of the principles that support Western civilization and provide a moral compass for billions of Jews, Christians and Muslims—revealing that our common ground is greater than any differences.
Revelation at Sinai: A foundation for faith and freedom
Shavuot, often known as a celebration of the first harvest, also symbolizes the annual renewal of the covenant forged with God. The holiday marks the culmination of the Exodus journey, transforming freed slaves into a people bound by a Divine purpose and a shared moral code—the beginning of a national spirit. Unlike any other ancient law code, the Ten Commandments were not dictated to a king but revealed directly to the entire Israelite nation that stood together. Shavuot connects Jews to this foundational moment, reinforcing the values of ethical monotheism, justice and communal responsibility that have defined Jewish identity and guided Jewish life for millennia.
The Ten Commandments resonate with profound relevance in Western civilization today. “Thou shall not murder” is a cornerstone of any just society. “Thou shall not steal” supports our systems of law and commerce, emphasizing honesty and respect for property. “Thou shall not bear false witness” is crucial for the integrity of legal and social discourse, stressing the importance of truthfulness. To “honor your father and your mother” is an important family value.
The Commandments are more than religious tenets. They are ethical principles that contribute to a functioning and moral society, having influenced religions and cultures throughout the centuries.
Enduring pillars: The Ten Commandments and Western civilization
Within the halls of the U.S. Supreme Court, the “Great Lawgivers of History” wall sculpture depicts Moses holding the Ten Commandments inscribed in Hebrew. This directly links a foundational text of Jewish tradition with Western law and the American legal system. Israel’s King Solomon, renowned for his “wisdom and magnificence,” also appears on the frieze. Other prominent historical figures include Justinian, Charlemagne and Muhammad, illustrating the diverse heritage of legal thought recognized within America.
The enduring influence of the Ten Commandments extends to much of Western civilization. Across centuries, the ethical and moral principles articulated to the Israelites have formed the basis of legal systems and societal norms. They provided the moral vision of Western legal systems, including foundational documents like England’s Magna Carta and France’s Napoleonic Code. The growing understanding of moral responsibility laid the groundwork for subsequent legal and ethical developments in the West.
Shared heritage: Commandments across Abrahamic traditions
What is often overlooked in an age of division is the powerful, shared heritage that binds the world’s three great monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. While each tradition possesses its singular theological and historical narratives, the ethical bedrock of the Ten Commandments resonates deeply within all three, serving as a testament to a shared moral imperative.
For Jews, they represent a direct covenant with God. For Christians, Jesus affirmed their validity, stating he came not to abolish, but to fulfill the law. In Islam, while not named as a distinct set of “commandments” in the Quran, their core principles—monotheism, respect for parents, honesty, justice and the sanctity of life—are woven throughout the Islamic legal and ethical framework.
Points to consider:
- Shavuot celebrates the foundation of the Jewish faith and responsibility.
For the Jewish people, Shavuot is a profound and joyous commemoration of the pivotal moment when they received the Torah, including the Ten Commandments. It was the forging of a covenant with God and the birth of a nation bound by a shared ethical and spiritual heritage. Shavuot annually renews this foundational experience, reinforcing the core values of ethical monotheism, justice and communal responsibility. Those tenets continue to define Jewish identity and guide Jewish life across generations. This holiday highlights the unique relationship between God and Jews, a bond established through the acceptance of Divine laws, teachings and guidance.
- Timeless commandments shaped Western society.
The core ethical principles embodied in the Ten Commandments profoundly shaped Western society. These ancient tenets, emphasizing the sanctity of life, honesty, justice and the importance of family, have resonated across centuries, significantly influencing the development of human rights and the foundation of equal societies. While the origins of the Ten Commandments are religious, their impact on Western rights, including England’s Magna Carta and the U.S. Constitution, is undeniable and proves their timeless relevance even today.
- A shared heritage unites Abrahamic faiths.
Despite their distinct theological paths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam share a powerful ethical inheritance rooted in the principles of the Ten Commandments. While each faith articulates these principles through its own scriptures and traditions, the core tenets of monotheism, respect for elders, honesty, justice and the sanctity of life resonate deeply within all three. For Jews, these are the terms of their covenant. For Christians, Jesus affirmed their enduring validity. For Muslims, they are emphasized in Quranic teachings. This common ground offers potential for mutual understanding.
- Coexistence thrives on common moral values.
In an increasingly divisive world, the path to genuine peace and coexistence lies in identifying and amplifying the shared moral values that strengthen our common humanity. The ethical principles echoed in the Ten Commandments, in addition to other religious and secular documents, offer a powerful bridge across religious and cultural divides. Focusing on these fundamental agreements about right and wrong can empower individuals, organizations and governments to move beyond their differences and cultivate a deeper sense of unity and purpose.
