The Ten Commandments Project Blog
Faithful Silence? Vayigash
Does silence play a role in faith? The Torah Portion Vayigash answers this question when God directs Jacob to pack his family and move to Egypt from the Promised Land Jacob’s response to God’s instruction is silence. Jacob, despite being 130 years of age and with a multitude of excuses that could be offered up,…
The Real Reason the Ten Commandments Are Posted
Alabama schools, beginning in 2027, are posting a sign with the Ten Commandments. While the posting’s legislative reasons include the Decalogue’s roots in American Political Thought and Philosophy, there is arguably another reason. The reason isn’t religious, rather, it is based upon the field of Cognitive Science. In academia, Common Knowledge is a technical term.…
Economics in the Torah: Vayigash: Jubilee’s Genesis?
Economic-oriented laws date to antiquity. Rent control, minimum wage and pricing controls are some modern examples of these measures. Each law is meant to address particular concerns- housing, the ability to earn enough to afford life’s necessities, and the ability to afford an essential good. Their effectiveness and positive impact are subject to debate. One…
Miketz’ Biblical Literacy Moment
In the Book of Zechariah, the Lord spirited Zerubbabel. He, one of the first group of Jews returning from Babylonian Exile, was tasked to rebuild the Temple. In imbuing Zerubbabel, the Lord famously stated: “Not through might or through power, but through My spirit.” Zechariah 4:6. An individual divine spirited is not a one-time scripture…
A Top Ten Torah Portion: Vayeishev
The Torah Portion Vayeishev is a top ten portion as far as the Ten Commandments. Not only is it entertaining as it includes the story of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, it is a Decalogue conversation piece. It breathes life into their commandments and the role they play in everyday life. oseph’s wonderful narrative…
Darmok and Jalad at Tenagra: Vayishlach’s Biblical Literacy Moment
For Star Trek TNG fans, the phrase “Darmok and Jalad at Tenagra” is meaningful. To them, it rekindles their memory of a television episode that explored language and communication. In it, the Enterprise crew encountered an alien species- the Tamarians- for which their universal translator did not work. The problem was that the Tamarians’ language…
Back to Basics: Vayetze’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
A Torah Portion Vayetze passage ignites a literary journey that leads to one of the primary aspects of both divine relationships and covenants. In Vayetze, while Jacob is fleeing to Harran to avoid his brother Esau’s wrath, he experiences a life-changing dream. This transformative event —upon review —surprisingly shares similarities to the Exodus. Some of…
Lech Lecha: Back to the Basics: Signs: The Ten Commandments’ Moment
I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes I saw the sign Ace of Base In that moment, I didn’t see the sign. I didn’t want to. It was one of the greatest moments of my life and I couldn’t watch. Not only did I have the best seat in the house, I…
Back To Basics: Noah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
The Torah Portion Noah provides unique insights into the Decalogue. Unlike the Ten Commandments’ “thou shalt not murder,” the Portion Noah’s homicide prohibition statute is complete. The restricted activity, the punishment, and the rationale are all present. Given that the Portion Noah’s statute evokes God’s image within its reasoning, theological questions arise. Thus, the Noah…
The Bereshit Haftarah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
A Haftarah is part of the Torah Reading Service. The Haftarah reading- a supplemental reading from non-Torah scripture- is a passage selected because it relates to the Torah Portion that is read. One theory advanced as to why there are Haftarah readings is that they began at a time when public Torah reading was forbidden;…
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