beyond the torah, how are the ten commandments received into society? the jewish apocryphal texts offer some insight. while these texts are not part of the hebrew bible canon- the tanach- the torah, neveim, and ketuvim- they existed either prior to or shortly after the bible’s formalization. some of these writing addressed the ten commandmentsContinue reading “The Jewish Apocrypha & The Ten Commandments: The Book of Susanna”
Author Archives: biblelifestudies
Can You Be Inscribed in The Book of Change?
for many years, our family’s yom kippur, tradition to determine whether one’s fate concerning being inscribed in the book of life for another year was simple. we jaywalked across the busiest and dangerous street to get to synagogue. the successful crossing- with an occasional dodge of an oncoming speeder- was enough to cement that thereContinue reading “Can You Be Inscribed in The Book of Change?”
Casting A Song
this week’s torah portion- haazinu- is moses’ departing song to the children of israel. this moment highlights music’s connection to cultural memory. the bible’s earliest portions, as recognized by scholars, are songs. two of the most important being the song of the sea and the song of deborah. while we cannot re-telling oration at theContinue reading “Casting A Song”
On The Limb
for the past two weeks, horrible covid made for misery and endless days of loopiness; a perpetual four drink intoxication state. mentally, i could blow past the legal limit. the shabbat- being the first day of rosh hashonah- uniquely subjected me to constant ear ringing without a shofar’s piercing primordial wake-up call. exhausted. i passedContinue reading “On The Limb”
Egyptian Iconoclasm & The Ten Commandments
from oxford languages, iconoclasm is defined as “the action of attacking or assertively rejecting cherished beliefs and institutions or established values and practices; or, the rejection or destruction of religious images as heretical.” in the ten commandments, exodus 20:4, indicates that “you shall not make for yourself a graven image or any likeness which is in the heavens above, which is onContinue reading “Egyptian Iconoclasm & The Ten Commandments”
The Struggle Between Optimism vs. Realism
as a first-year law student, my property professor was perhaps the meanest, nastiest and brightest of them all. he was enigmatic; despite being a holocaust survivor, he held classes on the high holidays. the classroom was his operating room. rather than a scalpel, he performed surgery with words. with a few questions, he could removeContinue reading “The Struggle Between Optimism vs. Realism”
Celebrating The 900th Post With A Blogging Tip From Ayn Rand
the challenge going from legal content blogging to non-legal blogging involves the requirement to not only be informative but to be entertaining. with blogs, unlike video, readers must do the work. their hard work of reading should reward them with a smile or perhaps a eureka moment. hopefully, their time thumbing through your article onContinue reading “Celebrating The 900th Post With A Blogging Tip From Ayn Rand”
Stepping Back: What About Isaac?
every jewish new year [rosh hashonah] there is the built-in controversy of the torah reading of the binding of isaac or akedah. this portion serves rabbis and other commentators well with sermons as to whether abraham right or wrong to follow god’s directive to sacrifice his child isaac? they get to ask “what should beContinue reading “Stepping Back: What About Isaac?”
Why Known Facts are Hidden ?
the “looking the other way” phenomena occurs which such frequency that some individuals literally start to spin. we intentionally impair our vision for the sake of our family members, friends, political parties, and political or ideological beliefs. why? our cognition demands that we be consistent and logical. thus, when we are confronted with contrary data,Continue reading “Why Known Facts are Hidden ?”
The Most Honorable Star Trek Episode?
actor leonard nimoy made television history when he transformed the kohen priestly blessing sign into the iconic star trek vulcan greeting. the sign, an open hand with the two fingers on each side forming a “v”, combined with the words “live long and prosper”, capped his artistry to create a moment that audiences at largeContinue reading “The Most Honorable Star Trek Episode?”
The Ten Commandments Project 