The Torah Portion Naso is a springboard to many questions. Why have Nazarites? Why create a social status involving abstinence? Was there an unmentioned purpose for having Nazarite status? Has this concept continued through modernity? Perhaps, the most provocative Nazarite status question is “whether something can be simultaneously bad and good?” The Portion Naso laysContinue reading “The Vow: Naso”
Author Archives: biblelifestudies
The Author’s Mind: A Shavuot Thought
The Shavuot Holiday celebrates the receipt of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Shavuot also offers a moment to reflect upon scripture’s authorship. While Biblical Scholars focus on the textual sources, an analysis of the author’s mindset brings appreciation of the book’s utility. Writing Great writing connects to the audience. How can a text over 2000Continue reading “The Author’s Mind: A Shavuot Thought”
Bamidbar: Superorganism?
To understand the Israelite class structure, the concept of a superorganism should be considered. A superorganism is neither “super” nor is it a mere “organism,” rather, it is the recognition that a species or group can depart from individuality. Superorganisms are societies which function as an organic whole. A biological concept tied to it isContinue reading “Bamidbar: Superorganism?”
It’s A Miracle, I’m Sick!
“Because that’s where the money is.” Willie Sutton Be it a bank or a liquor store, that’s where the money is! Theft is an art form. Bank Robber extraordinaire Mr. Willie Sutton understood that robbery is more rewarding when the target is swimming in cash. If Mr. Sutton grew up today, he would likely targetContinue reading “It’s A Miracle, I’m Sick!”
The Psychic Cat Painfully Accurate
On May 13, 2025, the Jonah & The Killer Whale post called out Politicians and Religious Leaders. Their failure to express outrage over the use of violence as a means of expression was going to have consequences. The society, with its toxic social media and deteriorating culture, was green-lighting the horrific. Violent acts which areContinue reading “The Psychic Cat Painfully Accurate”
Behar-Bechukotai: The Good Life?
Why do people advocate the Ten Commandments to solve societal woes? A passage from the Torah Portion Behar-Bechukotai explains. “And you shall do my laws and observe my judgments and do them, so you will live on the land in security.” Leviticus 25:18. It is about having a good life. Decalogue compliance arguably includes theContinue reading “Behar-Bechukotai: The Good Life?”
A Review & Critique of “On Democracies and Death Cults”
When Pro-Hamas Protestors invade college libraries, it would behoove these Cos-Players to pick up Douglas Murray’s latest book On Democracies and Death Cults. Likewise, those diligent students should pick up the book as well. After acing their exams, they would benefit from reading this author’s latest offering. Mr. Murray is someone that budding journalists shouldContinue reading “A Review & Critique of “On Democracies and Death Cults””
The Psychic Cat’s Purrrfect Prediction: Plus A Bonus Prediction
The Psychic Cat is not a numbers cruncher. The feline goes by feel. Observation combined with chess move- like- implications helps generate purrrfect prognostications. The Post “Internet Search Engine R.I.P. 2024” was statistically confirmed. Using an AI search, the Psychic Cat got the statistical data. The feline had previously read the data from an actualContinue reading “The Psychic Cat’s Purrrfect Prediction: Plus A Bonus Prediction”
Emor: The Big Message?
“All Animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” George Orwell In the Torah, death penalties stand out. Seemingly slight offenses, i.e. gathering wood on the Sabbath, Numbers 15:32-36, have been subject to capital punishment. In these instances which include the severe sanction, is Torah actually intending to send a biggerContinue reading “Emor: The Big Message?”
Jonah & The Killer Whale
Now should I not take pity on Nineveh, the great city, in which there are many more than one hundred twenty thousand people who do not know their right hand from their left…? Jonah 4:11 Is United States a modern-day Nineveh? If so, how many residents don’t know their right hand from their left? GivenContinue reading “Jonah & The Killer Whale”
The Ten Commandments Project 