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”
Category Archives: biblical literacy
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 Chosen People? Ki Tavo’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
“The Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for it is not you whom they have rejected, but it is Me whom they have rejected from reigning over them….. So are they doing to you, as well. And now, heed their voice, but beContinue reading “The Chosen People? Ki Tavo’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Shoftim: A Ten Commandments’ Modification?
“Appoint a man over the congregation who will go out in front of them and who will come in in front of them and who will bring them out and who will bring them in, so the Lord’s congregation won’t be a sheep that don’t have a shepherd.” Numbers 27:16-17 The Torah Portion Shoftim illustratesContinue reading “Shoftim: A Ten Commandments’ Modification?”
Re’eh’s Ten Commandments’ Moment: Of Monotheism and Monolatry
The Torah Portion Re-eh presents as a rare opportunity to address the top parts of the Ten Commandments. Shortly after this event, the Children of Israel’s covenant with their Israelite God will take a new dimension. They will become a nation. Tied to being this conceived nation is fidelity towards their God. This post exploresContinue reading “Re’eh’s Ten Commandments’ Moment: Of Monotheism and Monolatry”
Lasting Impressions: Eikev
All that is gold does not glitter JRR Tolkien Years ago, a good friend invited me to a Hollywood Bowl concert. His box seats were close to the orchestra pit. Before Bowl peformances, it customary for box holders to picnicofteny bring out their fancy baskets and indulge in every imaginable delicacy and imbibe with fineContinue reading “Lasting Impressions: Eikev”
Are All Commandments Equal?: Va’etchanan
The Torah houses the Decalogue. Thus, within the Pentateuch’s 613 Commandments, the Ten Commandments is a subset. The Decalogue’s location gives rise to an Orwellian query: “Are some Commandments more equal than others?” According to the Torah Portion Va’etchanan, the answer is “yes”. The Ten Commandments are different from the others. Moses explain why inContinue reading “Are All Commandments Equal?: Va’etchanan”
The Ten Commandments Project 