My wife loves to make up rules. While in scripture the laws often are preceded by “and the Lord spoke to Moses,” for me, the words “from now on…” often initiates a session of marital legislation at most likely an inopportune time. Who makes laws while struck driving on the 405! For me, matrimonial governmentContinue reading “The Icing On The Decalogue’s Cake: Shoftim”
Category Archives: bible
Of Crossing Over? Re’eh
I walk the line Johnny Cash Life comes with beginnings: a new school, a new job, a new love of one’s life. With the new comes the unknown. While we may possess some rudimentary grasp of what is to become, the unknown remains an element with each and every new encounter. What will the newContinue reading “Of Crossing Over? Re’eh”
Who “Actually” Wrote The Bible: A Book Review
With Richard Elliott Friedman’s Who Wrote The Bible?, we explore the Hebrew Bible’s authorship. With Professor Jacob Wright’s Why the Bible Began: An Alternative History of Scripture and Its Origins, we explore the goals and ambitions of the people[scribes]working behind the scenes to craft the Hebrew Bible. With William M. Schniederwind’s Who Really Wrote theContinue reading “Who “Actually” Wrote The Bible: A Book Review”
No To Recycling? Eikev
How is the human spirit tied to inanimate objects? And what does it have to do with recycling? The Torah Portion Eikev enlightens us on both queries. Eikev touches upon the interplay between idolatry, recycling and human thought. The human psyche is profoundly impacted by material objects; even something as simple as a glass ofContinue reading “No To Recycling? Eikev”
Of O.T. Marriage : Va’Etchanan
I, Your Lord, your God, am a jealous God Exodus 20:5 You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might Deuteronomy 6:5 Is marriage exclusive to humans? Or, is the institution beyond mere mortals? An interpretation of a single sentence from the TorahContinue reading “Of O.T. Marriage : Va’Etchanan”
Superman & The Ten Commandments
Truth, Justice & The American Way Mottos can brilliantly reduce complex matters into a simple phrase. With just a few words, a great motto captures the essence of a person, a place, or a thing. Mottos are ubiquitous. Around Los Angeles, “to Protect and to Serve” is emblazoned upon police vehicles. Once upon a timeContinue reading “Superman & The Ten Commandments”
The Power of the Word- Matot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
You think that I don’t even mean a single word I say, it’s only words and words are all I have Bee Gees Words are not equal. In the world of scripture, it is even possible to assert the word “equal” is not equal to itself! In antiquity, perhaps due to the combination literacy rate,Continue reading “The Power of the Word- Matot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
A Prophet’s Revealing Ten Commandments’ Moment
Unlike other prophetic books Jeremiah’s richly addresses the Ten Commandments. Understanding both the book’s content as well as the Prophet’s background allows one to appreciate Jeremiah’s significance. Upon review, it is easy to see that the Prophet is one of the most compelling post-Torah scriptural figures. While Jeremiah’s writings are outside of the Pentateuch, thereContinue reading “A Prophet’s Revealing Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Moments
The Torah Portion Pinchas is a study of the moment. With moments, we might wax poetically. After all, moments are the moments in which something special happens. This something special happens in time. Thus, it is a moment. We, however, does not have to engage in such frivolity to make a point. Rather, the eventsContinue reading “Moments”
Changing Narratives: Balak
Due to the attempted assassination of Presidential Candidate Donald Trump, I thought it would be fruitless exercise to finish and post anything this weekend. An act of political violence which left one spectator killed and two others were seriously wounded certainly consumes a country’s psyche. With this event, the talking heads abound have come forwardContinue reading “Changing Narratives: Balak”
The Ten Commandments Project 