On Yom Kippur, I came across an article discussing commandment fulfillment. It addressed how the changing world plays a role. The impetus for these thoughts was the chaotic period of post-World War I. It noted that “[i]n such times, even imperfect mitzvos [commandments] are of relatively great value before God, because they come at suchContinue reading “Sabbath Morning Quarterback”
Category Archives: biblical literacy
The Scriptural Root of Zionism: The New Year’s Second Day Haftarah
Arise, Let us ascend to Zion Jeremiah 31:5 Operation Solomon-a mass migration event- made history in 1991. Approximately 2400 years before this event, the Prophet Jeremiah recorded prophetic words which became part of the Hebrew Bible. Are these distant temporal events connected? Can an ancient Prophet be intimately tied to the 20th Century Beta IsraelContinue reading “The Scriptural Root of Zionism: The New Year’s Second Day Haftarah”
The Root of Zionism: Vayelech
If one sought out Zionism’s origins, they would be dismissive not to consider the Hebrew Bible as the authoritative source. Further scoping in on the topic, one would turn to the Torah and go to the Torah Portion Vayelech. There, they would discover how the Pentateuch explains how Zionism is a feature of Judaism. ForContinue reading “The Root of Zionism: Vayelech”
The Societal Literacy Project: Vayelech
Societal literacy? Is it possible to instill a nation’s rules, morals and values upon all residents? Why do it? The Torah Portion Vayelech offers insight into the how and why? The Setting Vayelech’s events occur while the Children of Israel camped out on the other side of the Jordan River. They are awaiting entry intoContinue reading “The Societal Literacy Project: Vayelech”
A Success Story: Ki Tavo
To get a good job, with a great starting salary Dean Van Horne, Accepted As the Pentateuch’s calendar year reading rapidly nears completion, the Torah Portion Ki Tavo answers an essential Ten Commandments’ question. While the Portion Ki Tavo is packed with a rich multitude of Decalogue topics, one passage answers a query which isContinue reading “A Success Story: Ki Tavo”
Thou Shalt Not Be A Pig? Ki Tezieh
But if you try sometime, you’ll find that you get what you need Rolling Stones A two-sentence kerfuffle! Oh my! A particularly short Ki Tezieh Torah Portion passage presents with mind-bending complexity. While these two sentences yield a multitude of interpretations, the text contains a kernel that yields an undisputable consensus opinion: “Don’t be aContinue reading “Thou Shalt Not Be A Pig? Ki Tezieh”
The Icing On The Decalogue’s Cake: Shoftim
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”
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”
The Ten Commandments Project 