god – The Ten Commandments Project

Who Is He? Definitions: Eikev: A Ten Commandments’ Moment

Man writing Hebrew characters on a chalkboard in front of a seated crowd outdoors

The Ten Commandments, being a contract, identifies the parties. In the Decalogue, “I am the Lord, your God” is the party of the first part, and the party of the second part are the individuals he brought out from the Land of Egypt. Exodus 20:2 Give this limited description of the part of the firstContinue reading “Who Is He? Definitions: Eikev: A Ten Commandments’ Moment”

A Biblical Literacy Moment: Deuteronomy 8:3

Seven friends sitting at a wooden table with bread and butter, smiling and chatting in a rustic room.

The phrase Man does not live on bread alone is not only a classic, it’s biblical. The line is part of a theologically deep passage that was so significant that it was even referenced in later scripture. Additionally, the well-crafted English translation has taken a life of its own. It connotes a different meaning withinContinue reading “A Biblical Literacy Moment: Deuteronomy 8:3”

The Introduction to The Ten Commandments: Va’etchanan

Moses holding tablets with Hebrew text, addressing a crowd of men, women, and children in a desert setting

Lawmakers often provide a write-up when enacting a new law. These introductions can include anything from a legislative history to an explanation of the bill’s intent. In the Torah Portion Va’etchanan, Moses introduces the Ten Commandments to all of Israel. In doing so, he imparts essential information for grasping the biblical understanding of the Decalogue.Continue reading “The Introduction to The Ten Commandments: Va’etchanan”

Pattern Recognition: Shelach’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Boy wearing kippah and green hoodie reading a Torah scroll on a small table indoors

“… nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” U.S. Constitution, Fourteenth Amendment Pentateuch pattern recognition comes from avid Torah reading. The Torah Portion Shelach’s Sabbath violator tale’s similarity to the earlierContinue reading “Pattern Recognition: Shelach’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Tazria: Medicine’s Trajectory?

Bronze serpent coiled around a staff on rocky ground with sunset and mountains in background

Before Organized Medicine, the Torah addressed the Healing Arts with a multi-factorial approach. A Pantheon of Professionals, Prophets and Priests collaborated with the Israelite Deity to address national health care concerns. The Torah Portion Tazria focuses on the Priest’s role in medicine. With Tazria, and other Torah Portions, both politics and theology flesh out variousContinue reading “Tazria: Medicine’s Trajectory?”

Moses’ Three Chapters

You said you’d stand by me in the middle of Chapter Three Elvis Costello To fully appreciate Moses’ story and accomplishments, earlier scriptural themes must be considered. Long before his birth, during the time of the Patriarchs, biblical themes emerged. Three of these themes are embedded within the three chapters in Moses’ life- the Palace,Continue reading “Moses’ Three Chapters”

A Mikeitz’ Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Nature of Words

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”

If Heschel Met God

Abraham J. Heschel’s Stanford University lectures in May of 1963 were edited and published. The question was: “Who Is Man?” Within the lectures, he introduced the concepts of the “question” and the “problem.” Heschel noted “[a] question is due to knowing too little, to a desire to know more; a problem is often due toContinue reading “If Heschel Met God”

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”

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”