why are events blown out of proportion? context matters. in the shlach torah portion, the unthinkable happens- an “unnamed” individual is stoned to death for picking up wood on the sabbath. wild? nothing could be more “out of control” than the events happening in the portion shlach. the children of israel drama included (1) theContinue reading “Of Context in Isolation; Monday Morning Portion Quarterback”
Author Archives: biblelifestudies
The Unmentioned Revolution?
author yuval noah hareri’s sapiens details humanity’s many revolutions including cognitive, agricultural and scientific. one significant development, however, was not afforded a revolutionary label. this development is referenced in the torah portion bo. with the exodus emancipation, the children of israel’s initial commandment from the master of the universe is perhaps shocking. it was aContinue reading “The Unmentioned Revolution?”
The Legend
a friend’s high functioning autistic son is amazing. one of his quirky predilections is an unbridled passion for technology; anything manufactured by apple makes him salivate. one day, the boy, while we were waiting for our food at kanter’s deli, flashed at me his apple watch. the device, in the past, never impressed me. myContinue reading “The Legend”
Journalistic Slant
jta journalist ron kampeas in a june 13, 2023 article cited an anonymous biden administration source. jta.org under the cover of darkness, this source disparaged israeli diaspora minister amichai chikli. according to the article, this so-called “senior” biden administration official did so along with a “so-called” chorus of americans. journalist ron kampeas “quoted” the administrativeContinue reading “Journalistic Slant”
Accountability Nonsense
the biden administration recently condemned an internet influencer. the individual was recorded taking their top off at a white house pride month celebration. nypost.com was this condemnation is complete and total malarkey? mr. biden, to advance his political agenda, has made his white house accessible to the lgbtq+ community. to accomplish this, he opened theContinue reading “Accountability Nonsense”
Thou Shalt Know Your Characters
human nature is tricky. human’s capacity to defy common sense has led some to posit whether adam and eve’s consumption of the forbidden fruit in the garden of eden was a total set up; a perfect metaphor showing that humans can be illogical and immoral. this dark side of human nature is both ever presentContinue reading “Thou Shalt Know Your Characters”
The Most Important Word; Shlach
one word in the english language terrifies most individuals- accountability. acceptance of failure, fret over more labor to be done, and the feeling of being trapped are among the emotions that cause us to wake up in a pool of sweat. these emotions come with accountability. the shlach torah portion takes us to an existentialContinue reading “The Most Important Word; Shlach”
Yuval Noah Harari vs. God
yuval noah harari’s book sapiens outlines the course of human history. humans, unlike other animals, succeeded in dominating the world due their unique social abilities. while other primates-apes or chimpanzees- are able to form groups, perhaps up to fifty, humans have been able to organize in large numbers. human’s ability to both communicate and interactContinue reading “Yuval Noah Harari vs. God”
Guilt In Decision Making
should guilt be employed to make decisions and policy? in the article, what causes guilt and how to overcome it, psychologist dr. mark winwood noted that guilt is something that is normal. guilt can occur when we do not meet our expectations. guilt occurs when we failed to achieve obligations in either a positive orContinue reading “Guilt In Decision Making”
Love High Neighbor?
in los angeles, being overcome by toxic marijuana fumes at one’s home or business is commonplace. oblivious product consumers often contaminate a significant area which can envelop the elderly, the infirmed and children. occasionally, my offices get the stink so bad from the air conditioning unit that we have to turn it off until theContinue reading “Love High Neighbor?”
The Ten Commandments Project 