Like the Pine Trees lining the road, I’ve got a name, I’ve got a name Jim Croce What’s in an introduction? The Torah Portion Vayetze culminates the Deity’s introduction and covenanting with the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac & Jacob. These past introductions reveal the Decalogue’s introduction as barrier breaking. The third and final Patriarchal introduction reportedContinue reading “The Introduction: Vayetze’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Author Archives: biblelifestudies
Location, Location, Location! Toldot
In Lech Lecha, God famously instructs Abraham to go to the Promised Land. In the Torah Portion Toldot, God advises Isaac, Abraham’s son, not to leave that very land. Genesis 12:1,26:2-3. What is the fixation over this parcel? Sans Hebrew Bible, extra-biblical sources support the Promised Land’s uniqueness. Geography and history shows Canaan’s incubation effect.Continue reading “Location, Location, Location! Toldot”
Remembering & Forgetting: Thanksgiving
“That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks” George Washington It is only fitting that that Thanksgiving follows Presidential Elections. President Washington was keenly aware of the need for a time for the nation to unite. Many struggle the concept of getting together after engaging in almost aContinue reading “Remembering & Forgetting: Thanksgiving”
The “Art of the Deal” OT Style: Chayeh Sarah
There are deals. And then there are deals. Abraham- in the Torah Portion Chayeh Sarah- makes a deal. Was it a deal or was it such a deal? On first impression, Abraham’ deal violated the mythic 614th commandment: “Thou shalt not pay retail.” Upon further review, there was much more to the deal. In ChayehContinue reading “The “Art of the Deal” OT Style: Chayeh Sarah”
A Moment of Honor & Gratitude For Dennis Prager?
It’s never good news to hear that a person in their 70s is injured from a fall. Unfortunately, in doing so, Mr. Dennis Prager, Conservative Personality, sustained serious spinal trauma. Beyond the well-wishing for his swift recovery, perhaps it is time for the United States to officially recognize Mr. Prager’s commitment to the country. DennisContinue reading “A Moment of Honor & Gratitude For Dennis Prager?”
Who Actually Wrote the Bible? Questions and Answers From Prof. William M. Schniedewind
For Hebrew Bible lovers, Richard Elliott Friedman’s Who Wrote The Bible and Jacob Wright’s Why the Bible Began: An Alternative History of Scripture and Its Origins are popular reads. While both scholars- in both text and interviews- speak of scribes’ role in the Bible’s development, they do not elaborate too much on these mostly unknownContinue reading “Who Actually Wrote the Bible? Questions and Answers From Prof. William M. Schniedewind”
Culture Collision: Vayera
And an angel of the Lord called to him from the skies and said, “Abraham! Abraham!” And he said, “I’m here.” And he said, “Don’t put your hand out toward the boy and don’t do anything to him, because now I know that you fear God.” Genesis 22:12 The Torah Portion Vayera’s polemic against childContinue reading “Culture Collision: Vayera”
The South African (Not Elon) Who Was The Presidential Election Winner
The Harris-Trump Presidential Debate was a cat-astrophe for then Candidate Donald Trump. Frank Luntz, and other pundits, declared Mr. Trump’s rant over the immigrants of Springfield “eating the pets” as the final nail in the coffin to his campaign. The dream of a MAGA return to the White House was over. This was mainstream media’sContinue reading “The South African (Not Elon) Who Was The Presidential Election Winner”
How The World Series Saved America
The 2024 World Series saved America. The five game nail biting drama ended with the Dodgers defeating the Yankees. Because of that, the United States is a better country. In this instance, Baseball’s Human Drama surpassed any imaginable within a Hollywood production. Robert Redford’s The Natural paled in comparison to real life Freddie Freeman’s GibsonianContinue reading “How The World Series Saved America”
A Father’s Plan: A Lech Lecha Ten Commandments’ Moment?
The Lech Lecha Torah Portion cannot be read in isolation. Immediately prior to it, the Torah passages provide a contextual dimension to Abraham. These pre-Lech Lecha facts are often not addressed in extra-biblical renditions of the story. They may, however, reveal Lech Lecha’s Ten Commandments’ connection like other Book of Genesis passages. Before “Lech Lecha”,Continue reading “A Father’s Plan: A Lech Lecha Ten Commandments’ Moment?”
The Ten Commandments Project 