According to the Old Testament, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai after freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. This event is described in detail in the book of Exodus. Moses climbed the mountain and spent 40 days and 40 nights in the presence of God, receiving the laws and commandments that would guide the Israelites in their relationship with God and with one another. The Ten Commandments are regarded as a central part of Jewish and Christian religious traditions, and are considered by many to be a foundation of morality and ethics.