[TheAngryClam]

But are they foundations of OUR law? Such laws are nearly universal among societies.

[nopardons]

The Code of Hammurabi predates the Ten Commandments and some are identical to them. Solon ? He and his " laws " come after Hammurabi as well.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

But are they foundations of OUR law? Such laws are nearly universal among societies.

Well, not exactly. You see one of the interesting things about the Ten Commandments is that they were meant to be applied across the board to everyone. Take "thou shalt not steal." Most places did have this kind of law but it applied only to those inside the tribe.

But it is mentioned several places in the Torah that these laws were meant to apply to every one across the board and to rich and poor alike.

Now it was not always kept that way but still it represented a giant leap forward in the way we look at law and rights.