What is the most important skill one learn from the Hebrew Bible? One answer is the ability to interpret. By interpret, I do not mean the act of translation. Rather, interpretation is the act of engaging with words to extract meaning. In doing so, perhaps an individual can obtain a better understanding the author’s words.Continue reading “A Matter of Interpretation? Simchat Torah’s Torah Portion’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Category Archives: interpretation
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 Truth & The Greater Reality
It’s only words and words are all I have Bee Gees The Bee Gees, one of my all-time favorite bands, got it all wrong. While their song “Words” waxes poetically that “its only words”, that pronouncement is far from the truth. With conversation, people offer more than words. Positive, uplifting and honest words may inContinue reading “The Truth & The Greater Reality”
Teruma’s Ten Commandments’ Moment : InTent
The Torah Portion Teruma bolsters the Exodus’ historicity. Teruma explicitly details construction matters for the Mishkan aka Tabernacle. The Tabernacle’s discuss is part of Richard Elliott Friedman’s argument that an Exodus did occur. Scholars have connected the Tabernacle’s design to another structure from antiquity. The Mishkan’s design bears similarity to Pharoah Ramses II’s War Tent that wasContinue reading “Teruma’s Ten Commandments’ Moment : InTent”
The Ten Commandments & The Book of Joshua
The Book of Torah shall not depart from your mouth; rather you should contemplate it day and night in order that you observe to do according to all that is written in it God The Hebrew Bible’s first book, post-Torah, is The Book of Joshua. While the text is most well-known for the conquest ofContinue reading “The Ten Commandments & The Book of Joshua”
A Matter of Interpretation: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
while we all cannot devote ourselves to scholars, we need to sharpen our skills as to the means and tactics used by those offering expert opinion. after three decades of interrogating experts, i have observed many times when experts go astray. recently, i witnessed an interview of a scientist who became angry and emotional atContinue reading “A Matter of Interpretation: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Moses The Seeker? A Ten Commandments’ Tale
the torah is taught to children through story books. these stories often are not the word for word depictions of the torah. rather, they are an interpretation. they are edited with respect to adult topics, i.e. lot’s offering of his daughter to the city’s residents in lieu of the strangers, and include non-textual sources. storiesContinue reading “Moses The Seeker? A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Want To Know About Yourself? Your Opinion On The Story of Abraham & The Binding of Isaac Is Telling: A Ten Commandments’ Story
abraham’s attempted sacrifice of his son isaac at the god’s request is one of the most morally controversial stories in genesis. god instructs abraham to take and sacrifice his son isaac. this was the same son upon which god had already indicated would continue abraham’s legacy. the torah section, in hebrew is referred to theContinue reading “Want To Know About Yourself? Your Opinion On The Story of Abraham & The Binding of Isaac Is Telling: A Ten Commandments’ Story”
The Ten Commandments Project 