Considering the Commandments

I came to wonder why the Ten Commandments have such clout.
I knew they were important, but why have them singled out?
They may have been initial laws for Jews, but not long after,
A whole bunch more arrived, as shown in Exodus’ next chapter.
It’s not like all the other rules are optional or slight;
Some call for heavy penalties for breaking them, all right.
(Exactly how to number the commandments will depend
Which sect you ask; they differ on where some will start and end.)
I checked around, and now I think I understand enough:
To memorize the whole shebang would certainly be tough.
The Decalogue, a summary, is relatively terse,
Compared with other ordinances found in any verse.
It offers few details because it serves as a foundation,
With universal precepts meant for changing situations.
What’s more, it has an icon that’s a cinch to recognize:
A pair of slabs with writing (maybe squiggles to our eyes).
It makes a lot of sense to keep things simple for the masses;
The Torah wasn’t written just for college-level classes.