While Joseph’s narrative is packed full of drama, it also includes a multitude of meaningful moments of the Ten Commandments variety. One is an exchange between Joseph and his brothers in the Torah Portion Mikeitz. This particular interaction touches on the Swearing Commandment- “Thou Shalt Not Use the Lord’s name in vain.” Swearing, within theContinue reading “A Mikeitz’ Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Nature of Words”
Category Archives: biblical literacy
Vayeshev: Origins of Humility?
And the man Moses was very humble, more than every human who was on the face of the earth Numbers 12:3 How does one become humble? The Torah Portion Vayeshev provides an answer; it is a Master Class in humiliation. Humiliation. as Vayeshev indicates, is a humbling mechanism. The Hebrew Bible values an individual’s capacityContinue reading “Vayeshev: Origins of Humility?”
Vayishlach:The Line
At that time many who sought righteousness and justice went out into the wilderness… 1 Maccabees 2:29 Do societies have breaking points? Can there be immovable cries of ‘enough is enough!’? If so, are leaders involved? Do these leaders possess unique capacities and characteristics? The answers to these questions begin with the Torah Portion Vayishlach.Continue reading “Vayishlach:The Line”
Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
“… be watchful to do all the laws and the judgments that I’m putting in front of you today.” Deuteronomy 11:26 Before crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land, the Children of Israel are reminded about their Divine Covenant. Laws and judgments are to be followed. In juxtaposition, the Patriarch Isaac is confined toContinue reading “Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Between Yahwism and Judaism: A Review & Critique
May you live in interesting times Author Yonatan Adler’s prequel to his Origins of Judaism entitled Between Yahwism and Judaism explores a pre-Judaistic period. His new book examines the period immediately prior to the emergence of widespread Torah adherence in antiquity. In Origins, Professor Adler opined that the Levant’s popular Torah practice began during theContinue reading “Between Yahwism and Judaism: A Review & Critique”
Virtue Unleashed? Lech Lecha
Can one person transform the world? According to the Torah Portion Lech Lecha, “Yes.” For over two thousand years, scholars, commentators, and social scientists have tackled the Lech Lecha phenomena. In Modernity In 2000, Malcolm Gladwell explored the viral nature of human activity. In The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference,Continue reading “Virtue Unleashed? Lech Lecha”
The Question: “Why?” Lech Lecha’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Make it make sense? The Torah Portion Noah’s Post-Flood Covenant should have solved all of the world’s problems. Correct? After all, the God-Human covenant assured that a world would not be subjected to another deity inflicted devastation. It was also sealed with a rainbow! Only a double rainbow could have made it better!! Genesis 8:21-22.Continue reading “The Question: “Why?” Lech Lecha’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Of Covenants, Noah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
All creative work is derivative Nina Paley What is new may in fact be old. Painting with a different color scheme; playing music in a faster tempo; or re-purposing medications for a different disease. Incremental innovations can constitute newness. Slight changes may be just as impactful as radical innovation. The latter may, in fact, beContinue reading “Of Covenants, Noah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Sukkot’s Torah Portion: A Ten Commandments’ Moment
Here, they’re one people, and they all have one language, and this is what they have begun to do. And now nothing that they’ll scheme will be precluded from them Genesis 11:6 One of Humans’ greatest strengths is language. The Book of Genesis’ Tower of Babel tale recognizes this power. Genesis 11:6. In scripture, theContinue reading “The Sukkot’s Torah Portion: A Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Nitzavim: Of Rabbit Holes & Rashi: A Ten Commandments’ Moment
The Torah Portion Nitzavim starts with a beautiful passage advancing the Ten Commandments’ collective nature. This post explores whether the collective theme’s passage contains a hidden message. The Nitzavim passage is as follows: “You’re standing today, all of you, in front of the Lord, your God- your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers,Continue reading “Nitzavim: Of Rabbit Holes & Rashi: A Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Ten Commandments Project 