Punishments are mysteriously absent from the Ten Commandments. The “shall not’s” are not accompanied by prescribed penalties. The Torah Portion Vayikra, however, begins to address commandment violation punishments. The remedies for sin, per Vayikra, are in the form of animal sacrifice and grain offerings. According to Richard Elliott Friedman, the sacrifice’s purpose was to recognizeContinue reading “Punishment: Vayikra’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Category Archives: bible
Pedukei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Geography shapes both politics and religion. The Children of Israel’s wilderness wandering and their Promised Land permanence created a division between religion and politics. This division manifested in Judaism’s portability. The Torah Portion Pedukei addresses aspects of Tabernacle. This central portable structure served as a place for worship and sacrifice during the post Exodus wildernessContinue reading “Pedukei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Speculation on Fire: Vayakhel’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
On a neighborhood walk, my wife and I smelled smoke. Opposite the sunset, I viewed an ominous purple sky. My mind percolated with thoughts of another apocalyptic wildfire. An elbow to my ribs evaporated my mental state. My wife, who had been looking in the other direction, pointed to our neighbor’s bellowing chimney. Scholars, forContinue reading “Speculation on Fire: Vayakhel’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Politics of Breaking Bread: A Second Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment
Is it possible both religion and politics can be discussed at dinner? Can there be such a thing as “breaking bread” diplomacy? King Hezekiah, in the Second Book of Chronicles, masterfully engineered such a meal. This meal, for the purposes of this blog, amounts to a Ten Commandments’ moment. While it is intimately related toContinue reading “The Politics of Breaking Bread: A Second Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Prostrate Trouble: Esther’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Prostration is central to Esther’s story. Mordechai’s refusal to bow and prostrate himself before Haman served as the inspiration of Haman’s genocidal plot against the Jews. Was Mordechai’s refusal a Ten Commandments’ moment? Early in Esther’s story, Haman is promoted by King Ahasuerus to a top position. Haman’s seat was to be above all theContinue reading “Prostrate Trouble: Esther’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Setting Things In Stone? Mishpatim
“And he took the scroll of the covenant and read in the people’s ears” Exodus 24:7 The Torah Portion Mishpatim illustrates the challenges of legal literacy. In antiquity, was it possible for a fledgling nation to disseminate the concepts of societal boundaries and affirmative duties upon its citizenry? If so, what methodology could be employedContinue reading “Setting Things In Stone? Mishpatim”
The Top Ten? The Big Ten? Yitro
“As horrible as this is (especially in light the Aqedah), it conveys the seriousness of this commandment and of the principle that the Ten Commandments outweigh other laws.” Richard Elliott Friedman, Commentary on The Torah In legal systems, some laws override others. For example, the United States essentially has two forms of law- State andContinue reading “The Top Ten? The Big Ten? Yitro”
Sabbath Origins? Bechlach
And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because He ceased from doing all his work, which God created Genesis 2:3 While the Sabbath was established at Creation’s completion, the day of rest was imposed upon the Children of Israel. After leaving Egypt, in the Torah Portion Bechlach, Sabbath rules commenced. Before Mt.Continue reading “Sabbath Origins? Bechlach”
Bo: The Legacy Project
The people of the exile brought the pesach-offering on the fourteenth day of the first month. Ezra 6:10 In the throes of the Exodus, the Torah Portion Bo commands the Children of Israel to celebrate Passover. Not only was this meal to be of the moment, it was to be something for the future. BoContinue reading “Bo: The Legacy Project”
The Bible As A Reference
President Jimmy Carter’s State Funeral was not without controversy. While most of the country’s luminaries attended, there was one notable absence. Former First Lady First Lady Michelle Obama chose to not be present. Her decision prompted debate. Some pointed towards the historical precedence for guidance. For the Bible literate, the Torah offers direction. In fact,Continue reading “The Bible As A Reference”
The Ten Commandments Project 