Legalese is full of magical incantation; alchemous word precision can secure financial victory or exact an extended incarceration. With these stakes, Judges and Lawyers use their words wisely. Ambiguity within legalese is the murky moat of despair. As such, translations of legal works can serve as bucketfuls of polluted moat water. Unclear, imprecise and biasedContinue reading “Lost In Translation? “Shall” or “May””
Author Archives: biblelifestudies
A Ten Commandments’ Moment From Vayakhel: Sabbath Rules
The Torah Portion Vayakhel begins with the following: “and Moses assembled all of the congregation of the Children of Israel and said to them, “These are the things that the Lord commanded to do them: Six days work shall be done, and in the seventh day you shall have a holy thing, a Sabbath, aContinue reading “A Ten Commandments’ Moment From Vayakhel: Sabbath Rules”
A Ten Commandments’ Moment from Ki Tisa: Coveting
Ki Tisa brings forth the Torah’s ultimate vision of fairness and accountability. With respect to the costs for thr Tent of Meeting, the following edict was issued: “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: When you take the sum of the Children of Israel according to their numbers, let each one give to the Lord anContinue reading “A Ten Commandments’ Moment from Ki Tisa: Coveting”
A Second Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Another Ten Commandments Re-Boot?
The Second Book of Samuel details King David reign as Israel’s king. Prior to his monarchy, Samuel had conceded to the Israelites’ demand for a king. With this, Saul was made king. With this governance change from tribal confederation to monarchy, Samuel laid out the terms and costs. As the Saul’s monarchy failed the Lord’sContinue reading “A Second Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Another Ten Commandments Re-Boot?”
A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: A Ten Commandments’ Re-Boot?
Political scientists must savor reading The Book of Samuel. It uniquely monarchy propaganda as well a cautionary tale to citizenry subjecting themselves to a king’s rule. While Samuel is outside of the Torah and the law, it arguably documented a seismic Ten Commandments’ moment. While other Posts surveying the Commandments addresses specific laws, this PostContinue reading “A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: A Ten Commandments’ Re-Boot?”
Terms of Enragement
A week ago, I raged. With my mind filled with anger, I braced down for my head to explode and unleash a mushroom cloud of mental toxicity. This ire drawn from the many crazy biting news stories. Some apparently drew my soul’s blood. In desperation, I reached out to find my poisonous pen, the snakeContinue reading “Terms of Enragement”
In Every Generation A Light: Tetzaveh
“… you shall command the Children of Israel that they shall bring clear pressed olive oil to you for the light, to keep up a lamp always.” Exodus 27:20. The lighting of this lamp was “an eternal law through their generations from the Children of Israel.” Exodus 27. When leaving our houses, to save energy,Continue reading “In Every Generation A Light: Tetzaveh”
A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Eli’s Sons
Can violating one of the Ten Commandments wipe out a family’s eternal destiny? The Book of Samuel answers this question. In doing so, the Book of Samuel, in the tale of Eli’s sons, reveals a great insight into the commandments to honor one’s parents. During the time when the Kohen Priest Eli is apprenticing Samuel,Continue reading “A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Eli’s Sons”
A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Hannah
As far as present day impact, Hannah may be the Book of Samuel’s true superstar. While David, who is credited with writing the Psalms, also appears in Samuel, Hannah inspired generations as to devotional prayer. Hannah’s zeal is emulated by worshipers daily around the world as they pray. Beyond her ability to wax out aContinue reading “A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Hannah”
A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Civil War
The Book of Judges’ disturbing conclusion is the tale of Levite Traveler and his Concubine Wife. In the story, an older man from Gilbeah took the Levite and his wife in for the night as an act of hospitality. The town was Benjamite. Judges 19. There, “the people of the city, lawless people, surrounded the house, bangingContinue reading “A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Civil War”
The Ten Commandments Project 