“A question is due to knowing too little, to a desire to know more; a problem is often due to knowing too much.” Abraham J. Heschel The Torah’s controversial “bad boy” passage in the Portion Ki Teitzei fortuitously came. Within the past month, I had began reading two books on point. Abraham J. Heschel’s “WhoContinue reading “Ki Teitzei: Bad Boys”
Author Archives: biblelifestudies
Shoftim: A Ten Commandments’ Modification?
“Appoint a man over the congregation who will go out in front of them and who will come in in front of them and who will bring them out and who will bring them in, so the Lord’s congregation won’t be a sheep that don’t have a shepherd.” Numbers 27:16-17 The Torah Portion Shoftim illustratesContinue reading “Shoftim: A Ten Commandments’ Modification?”
On Righteousness: Oh Canada?
According to the Hebrew Bible Prophets, societies are judged by three Societal Rails-in Truth, in Justice and in Righteousness. These categories remain relevant to present. Within each rail, a societies confront policy issues with solutions. To be effective, these processes take into account the human factor. The choices to be made are not always blackContinue reading “On Righteousness: Oh Canada?”
Re’eh’s Ten Commandments’ Moment: Of Monotheism and Monolatry
The Torah Portion Re-eh presents as a rare opportunity to address the top parts of the Ten Commandments. Shortly after this event, the Children of Israel’s covenant with their Israelite God will take a new dimension. They will become a nation. Tied to being this conceived nation is fidelity towards their God. This post exploresContinue reading “Re’eh’s Ten Commandments’ Moment: Of Monotheism and Monolatry”
In Search of Moral Intelligence In the Age of AI: Going Postal in July
In trying to complete a July blog post, I ran into an AI brick wall. My one-man-blogging-band broke up! My AI band mates dropped me like I was Pete Best, Ozzie Osborne or Don Felder. Oh my! My blog’s lyrics were apparently bad. I used a naughty word- the “K” word. Yes. Somehow, I brokeContinue reading “In Search of Moral Intelligence In the Age of AI: Going Postal in July”
Lasting Impressions: Eikev
All that is gold does not glitter JRR Tolkien Years ago, a good friend invited me to a Hollywood Bowl concert. His box seats were close to the orchestra pit. Before Bowl peformances, it customary for box holders to picnicofteny bring out their fancy baskets and indulge in every imaginable delicacy and imbibe with fineContinue reading “Lasting Impressions: Eikev”
The Secular Ten Commandments: Core Community Values
Out of a fiery Mt. Sinai, the Ten Commandments forged a covenant set in stone. At the moment, there was an accord. After that moment, it became something else. Since Mt. Sinai to the present, the Decalogue has become valued as an individual’s code of conduct. It remains, however, serving a greater purpose. The covenantContinue reading “The Secular Ten Commandments: Core Community Values”
Are All Commandments Equal?: Va’etchanan
The Torah houses the Decalogue. Thus, within the Pentateuch’s 613 Commandments, the Ten Commandments is a subset. The Decalogue’s location gives rise to an Orwellian query: “Are some Commandments more equal than others?” According to the Torah Portion Va’etchanan, the answer is “yes”. The Ten Commandments are different from the others. Moses explain why inContinue reading “Are All Commandments Equal?: Va’etchanan”
Thoughts About “Revenge of The Tipping Point”
Author Malcolm Gladwell’s Revenge of the Tipping Point examines viral phenomena. Within it, he introduces the concept of the “superspreader.” He posits that “superspreaders” can create viral events. Superspreaders possess unique characteristics that make them capable of creating a viral effect. One aspect of this concept is that even one individual is needed to igniteContinue reading “Thoughts About “Revenge of The Tipping Point””
Beyond The Ten Commandments: Devarim
A society cannot function on the Ten Commandments exclusively. This assertion should not be controversial. It was Moses, the Mt. Sinai Decalogue Deliverer, expressing this within in the Book of Deuteronomy. He confesses it within the Torah Portion Devarim. During the wilderness wandering, Moses grew to understand that leading a mixed multitude required more thanContinue reading “Beyond The Ten Commandments: Devarim”
The Ten Commandments Project 