"613 commandments" or 2?

"613 commandments"

The 613 Mitzvot (Hebrew: תרי"ג מצוות‎: Taryag Mitzvot, "613 commandments") are statements and principles of law and ethics contained in the Torah or Five Books of Moses.
These principles of Biblical law are sometimes called commandments (mitzvot) or collectively as the "Law of Moses" (Torat Moshe, תורת משה), "Mosaic Law", or simply "the Law" (though these terms are ambiguous and also applied to the Torah itself).

Although there have been many attempts to codify and enumerate the commandments contained in the Torah, the traditional view is based on Maimonides' enumeration.

The 613 commandments are either "positive commandments" to perform an act (mitzvot aseh) or "negative commandments" to abstain from certain acts (mitzvot lo taaseh).

There are 365 negative commandments, corresponding to the number of days in a solar year, and 248 positive commandments, ascribed to the number of bones and significant organs in the human body.[1 http://www.answers.com/topic/613-mitzvot-1
(Maimonides was a preeminent medieval Jewish philosopher, one of the greatest Torah scholars of the Middle Ages.)

or

Matthew 22:36-40 (New International Version)
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
38This is the first and greatest commandment.
39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

We humans have such a need to complicate things. We seem to have no tolerance for things that are simple and straight forward.

I know that I would find it impossible to live under The Law of Moses. I am grateful that Jesus came to fulfill The Law and deliver us to a state of Grace. I am content to work on a daily basis to follow the two great commandments.

Romans 10 (New International Version)
1Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
2For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.
3Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
4Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (emphasis added)
5Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them."
6But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down)
7"or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth (and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:
9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (emphasis added)
10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

It is in our interest to study the word of God to gain understanding. I believe that it is in our interest to strive to fulfill the two commandments which fulfill all the law and the prophets.

It is a goal worth pursuing to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

It is a goal worth pursuing to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.

15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1 (New International Version)


May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!