Read the excerpt from the ten commandments. honor your father and your mother, in order that your days be lengthened on the land that the lord, your god, is giving you. you shall not murder. you shall not commit adultery. you shall not steal. you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. you shall not covet your neighbor's house. you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his donkey, or whatever belongs to your neighbor. –exodus 20: 12–14 how have these jewish laws influenced western civilization? people do not strive for more possessions. most religious groups worship only one god. people are required to care for those around them. criminal law centers on behaving rightly toward others.