long before the helicopter’s invention, there was “helicopter parenting”. did this parenting-style inspire creating that flying contraption? there is no need to drone on about it. buddha’s father is perhaps the most well-known and ancient of the airborne parent. he essentially trapped his son into a palatial lifestyle. eventually, the buddha would exit his protected life toContinue reading “The Helicopter God”
Author Archives: biblelifestudies
Of Dreams: Mikeitz
my eyes fixated on the blue book resting on the tiny lecture hall foldable desk. having exerted maximum mental effort, the test was over; the flimsy pamphlet was closed. i looked up; the cavernous hall was empty. looking down, i was naked. panic ensued as i contemplated how i was going navigate through the busy campusContinue reading “Of Dreams: Mikeitz”
The Ten Commandments in One Letter?
mastery contracts matters. at some point, large quantities of information transform; what was complex becomes simple. rabbi akiva, when challenged to teach the torah with its 613 commandments to someone standing on one foot, instructed the individual “that which is hateful to you, do not do onto your fellow. all the rest is commentary. goContinue reading “The Ten Commandments in One Letter?”
The Truth In Context? A Ten Commandments’ Moment in Vayeshev
vayeshev in the “adult” version of the torah offers a mature ten commandments’ moment. while an unfitting tale for a young scholars’ bible story books, the lesson concerning the truth is not. truth telling is not as easy as one thinks; the truth, also, does not always set one free. acknowledging the truth can beContinue reading “The Truth In Context? A Ten Commandments’ Moment in Vayeshev”
Yes Virginia, There is a Chanukah
put on your yarmulke here comes chanukkah adam sandler yes virginia. there is a chanukah. in antiquity, long before the north american colony of virginia, before the birth of the prophet mohammed and the establishment of the islamic religion, before christianity, and before the time when the holy land was re-named palestine by the romans,Continue reading “Yes Virginia, There is a Chanukah”
Love To Hate; Vayeshev
i would manufacture things to make me mad dick butkus we hate. a base emotion has positives; hatred can be the expresso shot “pick me up” or the injection of adrenalin to drive one into a battle on the gridiron in the national football league. given those benefits, we must admit, we love to hate.Continue reading “Love To Hate; Vayeshev”
The Ten Commandments & Apocryphal Texts: The Book Of Jubilees
in some ancient circles, the apocryphal book of jubilees was popular. in qumran, the sect famous for the dead sea scrolls, fifteen copies of jubilees were found. the book of jubilees is believed to have been authored prior to the early first century bce. jewish annotated apocrypha. while excluded from the hebrew bible, the textContinue reading “The Ten Commandments & Apocryphal Texts: The Book Of Jubilees”
The Exodus In Genesis? Vayishlach; A Ten Commandments’ Tale
in comparing apples to oranges, lawyers employ the “straight face” test. if you can argue a point with a straight face, you go for it! when successful lawyers employ their mental swiss army knife of arguments, even the toothpick must be able to draw blood! the torah portion vaysishlach’s events offer fruitful comparisons to bothContinue reading “The Exodus In Genesis? Vayishlach; A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Vayishlach’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
with my mother being a hebrew school teacher, bible story books were a household fixture. with her sometimes working as a substitute, our bookshelf was filled with text books for all ages and grades. most repeated the same stories with varying levels of english and artwork. my entertainment time often was spent eitehr watching tvContinue reading “Vayishlach’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Vayetze’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
the torah states that after the birth of leah’s four sons “rachel saw that she had not given birth for jacob, and rachel was jealous of her sister, and she said to jacob, ‘give me children. and if not i’m dying!’” genesis 30:1. in response, “jacob’s anger flared at rachel, and he said, ‘am iContinue reading “Vayetze’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Ten Commandments Project 