We propose a new approach to extend the notion of commutator and Lie algebra to algebras with ternary multiplication laws. Our approach is based on the ternary associativity of the first and second kinds. We propose a ternary commutator, which is a linear combination of six triple products (all permutations of three elements). The coefficients of this linear combination are the cube roots of unity. We find an identity for the ternary commutator that holds due to the ternary associativity of either the first or second kind. The form of this identity is determined by the permutations of the general affine group GA(1,5)⊂S5. We consider this identity as a ternary analog of the Jacobi identity. Based on the results obtained, we introduce the concept of a ternary Lie algebra at cube roots of unity and provide examples of such algebras constructed using ternary multiplications of rectangular and three-dimensional matrices. We also highlight the connection between the structure constants of a ternary Lie algebra with three generators and an irreducible representation of the rotation group. The classification of two-dimensional ternary Lie algebras at cube roots of unity is proposed.
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