10 Commandments You Can Fulfill Without Getting Up From Your Chair

The Torah commands us to remember ten events that happened to our forefathers in the past. Every moment a person remembers the following ten things, they fulfill a positive Torah commandment. What are these ten remembrances?

1. Remembering the Exodus from Egypt

There is a commandment to remember at all times the great miracle through which Hashem brought us out of Egypt. About this it is said: "So that you remember the day you left Egypt all the days of your life." The Sages explain that the word 'all' includes the nights. For this reason, we read three sections of the Shema prayer in the morning and evening, in which the Exodus from Egypt is mentioned: "I am Hashem your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God."

2. Remembering the Revelation at Mount Sinai

There is a commandment to remember at all times Hashem's revelation to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. The verse that instructs this perpetual commandment is: "Only be careful and watch yourself closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them, the day you stood before Hashem your God at Horeb, when Hashem said to me, 'Assemble the people for me and I will let them hear my words, so they may learn to fear me all the days they live on the earth, and may teach these words to their children.'"

3. Remembering Amalek's evil and the commandment to destroy them

"Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and cut down all the stragglers at your rear, when you were faint and weary, and he did not fear God. When Hashem your God gives you rest from all your enemies around you in the land Hashem your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; do not forget."

'Shabbat Zachor' is the Shabbat before Purim, when these verses are read after the Torah reading. The reason this remembrance merits a special Shabbat is because the Torah states "do not forget," and forgetting occurs after twelve months. Therefore, once a year we must remember Amalek's evil and the commandment to destroy them through this reading.

4. Remembering the Golden Calf incident and other sins that Israel committed in the desert

"Remember and do not forget how you provoked Hashem your God in the wilderness. From the day you left Egypt until you arrived at this place, you have been rebellious against Hashem."

5. Remembering what happened to Miriam, who was afflicted with leprosy for speaking ill of Moses, Hashem's prophet

"Remember what Hashem your God did to Miriam on the way after you came out of Egypt." The Chafetz Chaim explains that this is the Torah's wonderful advice to make it easier for us to guard our tongues amid daily distractions.

Righteous Miriam spoke with Aaron, Hashem's holy one, about her brother whom she loved dearly. She also spoke for a beneficial purpose and did not say anything derogatory. A person who contemplates this and remembers at all times that Miriam was punished so severely will find it easier to refrain from forbidden speech.

6. Remembering the Shabbat commandment at all times

As it is said: "Remember the Shabbat day to keep it holy."

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7. Remembering Hashem's kindness, who gives us strength at all times

As it is said: "Remember Hashem your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, in order to establish His covenant which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today."

8. Remembering Hashem's miracles with our forefathers in the desert until today

As it is said: "Remember the entire path along which Hashem your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to afflict you to test you, to know what is in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He afflicted you and let you hunger, then fed you the manna that you did not know, nor did your forefathers know, in order to make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but by everything that proceeds from the mouth of Hashem does man live."

9. Remembering how Hashem saved us from Balak and Balaam, who rose up to destroy us

"My people, remember what Balak king of Moab planned, and what Balaam son of Beor answered him, from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of Hashem."

10. Remembering the destruction of Jerusalem and longing for the rebuilding of the Temple

"If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill. Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy."