The Book of Psalms, is a collection of 150 poems. While they are attributed to King David, historically, the Psalms were written by a variety of individuals. Further, their composition and crafting span hundreds of years. It is opined that they were compiled into final form during the Babylonian exile. Psalms are used within dailyContinue reading “The Poetry of Politics?”
Category Archives: criminal justice
The Four Most Important Movies For Modernity?
Cinema’s reach into the psyche exceeds literature. Truth, honesty and reality are themes are transmitted to society via popular movies. Four specific films captured modernity matters modernity in memorable fashion. Here is the list in increasing level of significance. Minority Report, #4 Minority Report is based upon the legendary science fiction author Philip K. Dick’sContinue reading “The Four Most Important Movies For Modernity?”
Emor: The Big Message?
“All Animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” George Orwell In the Torah, death penalties stand out. Seemingly slight offenses, i.e. gathering wood on the Sabbath, Numbers 15:32-36, have been subject to capital punishment. In these instances which include the severe sanction, is Torah actually intending to send a biggerContinue reading “Emor: The Big Message?”
Jonah & The Killer Whale
Now should I not take pity on Nineveh, the great city, in which there are many more than one hundred twenty thousand people who do not know their right hand from their left…? Jonah 4:11 Is United States a modern-day Nineveh? If so, how many residents don’t know their right hand from their left? GivenContinue reading “Jonah & The Killer Whale”
Sound Bites Of Justice
Will crowdfunding change our justice system? Before the internet, a criminally accused individual’s ability to raise legal defense funds was limited. Often, they were supported by their family, friends, and local institutions. With the advent of crowdfunding applications combined with the internet’s reach, an accused’s ability to raise sums has become amplified. Presently, the entireContinue reading “Sound Bites Of Justice”
The Second Rail: In Justice
Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice? Martin Luther, King, Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail The Prophets revealed the three rails of a Ten Commandments’ based society- In truth, in justice and in righteousness. Citizens, conservative or liberal, must engage in debate and constructive measures toContinue reading “The Second Rail: In Justice”
True Religion? Tetzaveh
“And Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once per year; he shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once per year through your generations. It is holy of holies to the Lord.” Exodus 30:10 Atonement is a central aspect to many religions. Alexander Pope’s “to err isContinue reading “True Religion? Tetzaveh”
The Conflation of Kindness and Justice?
There is danger with conflation. Some concepts meant to be separate. The fact that each concept is virtuous does not dispel this notion. While surveying the Hebrew Bible’s Prophets with a Ten Commandments’ perspective, it is apparent that the Ten Commandments- as a complete body of law- is not part of their verbiage. Rather, manyContinue reading “The Conflation of Kindness and Justice?”
The Best We Got?
If only one Torah Portion could be read to appreciate the scripture’s societal significance, what would it be? While Yitro, which tells of the Ten Commandments received from Mt. Sinai would be one suggestion, the Portion Kedoshim is likely the consensus choice. Kedoshim, however, is absent any drama or visual stimulation. The reader encounters aContinue reading “The Best We Got?”
The Value of Order
“The righteous person shall live though his faith” Habbakuk Laws are merely words. Whether set in stone, written on papyrus, or printed on paper, they standing alone are meaningless. The Prophet Habakkuk addresses this matter in this Ten Commandments’ moment. Is the Decalogue alone of no value? This article explores what gives meaning to law.Continue reading “The Value of Order”
The Ten Commandments Project 