שמות כ ,ב : א נֹכִי ה' אֱלֹ קֶ יך
The first three words of the Ten Commandments are considered by the Sforno to be of prime importance, each signifying a fundamental attribute of the Almighty:
- א נֹכִי “I” emphasizes the oneness of HaShem. He alone is the Master of the universe.
- ה' “HaShem” denotes the concept taught by HaShem to Moshe when He said “I am that I am” (3,14). The Sforno comments on that verse that the implication of this name that HaShem not long grants existence to all living things but also that He loves existence (life) and detests cruelty which destroys human existence. This idea was now pronounced at the beginning of the Ten Commandments.
- אֱלֹקֶ יך “your G-d” stresses the direct avenue of communication between G-d and His people without any need for intermediaries.