“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”
Category Archives: biblical literacy
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 Genesis of Problem Solving Part II
Spectacular problem solving led to the JPL’s Mars Rovers’ success. The Mission Designers and Planners exceeded expectations by considering every single contingency imaginable. As a result, some of these Red Planet space exploration devices continued providing data long past their anticipated expiration dates. The JPL staff truly deserved an award for outstanding achievement in theContinue reading “The Genesis of Problem Solving Part II”
Matot-Massei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Due to Judaism’s Lunar Calendar, the fifty-four Torah Portions get adjusted so all can be read annually. This year, to accomplish this, the Portions Matot and Massei are combined. Matot’s Ten Commandments’ moment involving vows and oaths is this Post’s topic. Vows Vows are essentially one’s word. What is the value of “one’s word”? ToContinue reading “Matot-Massei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
In Justice: Pinchas
“Justice, Justice you shall pursue, so that you’ll live, and you’ll take possession of the land that the Lord, your God is giving you” Deuteronomy 16:20 Prior to Deuteronomy’s “justice” pronouncement, a particular family became embroiled in a property rights dispute. The legal decision’s implications were of nationwide interest. The Portion Pinchas describes the legalContinue reading “In Justice: Pinchas”
Balak’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
You shall not bring up the name of the Lord, your God, for a falsehood, because the Lord will not make one innocent who will bring up His name for a falsehood. Exodus 20:7 The Torah Portion Balak has this assertion: “Because I know that whoever you’ll bless will be blessed, and whoever you’ll curseContinue reading “Balak’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Leadership Trilogy Ends With Four Takeaways: Chukat
The apex of the Torah’s Leadership theme occurs with Moses caught in the Almighty’s crosshairs. The Portion Chukat concludes a three-part leadership masterclass. The trilogy includes the two preceding portions- Shelach and Korah. Those addressed a lower-level leadership crisis and a mid-level-leadership challenge respectively. The third masterclass installment addresses a chief executive fail. This postContinue reading “The Leadership Trilogy Ends With Four Takeaways: Chukat”
The Ten Commandments Project 