And the man Moses was very humble, more than every human who was on the face of the earth Numbers 12:3 How does one become humble? The Torah Portion Vayeshev provides an answer; it is a Master Class in humiliation. Humiliation. as Vayeshev indicates, is a humbling mechanism. The Hebrew Bible values an individual’s capacityContinue reading “Vayeshev: Origins of Humility?”
Category Archives: jacob
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”
Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
“… be watchful to do all the laws and the judgments that I’m putting in front of you today.” Deuteronomy 11:26 Before crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land, the Children of Israel are reminded about their Divine Covenant. Laws and judgments are to be followed. In juxtaposition, the Patriarch Isaac is confined toContinue reading “Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Death’s Sanctity: Chayeh Sarah
And after that Abraham buried Sarah Genesis 23:19 The Torah holds one’s passing sacred. The Portion Chayeh Sarah unleashes life lessons surrounding death’s sanctity that continue throughout the Pentateuch. With one’s passing, there is the inevitable gathering of individuals. Some harboring long-standing consternation towards fellow funeral attendees. When Venn Diagramming life activities with the DecalogueContinue reading “Death’s Sanctity: Chayeh Sarah”
The Rosh Hashonah Torah Portion’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Get up. Carry the boy and hold him in your hand, because I shall make him a big nation. Genesis 21: 23 The Rosh Hashonah Torah Portion tackles both matters of faith and covenant. Abraham, in the portion, is embroiled in a familial crisis. He must deal with competing maternal interests. Sarah, his wife, isContinue reading “The Rosh Hashonah Torah Portion’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Idol Reflections: Vayishlach’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
The Torah Portion analysis should never be done in isolation. The Portion Vayishlach connect intimately with both past and future Torah Portions. Merging the texts unleashes deep context which includes a Ten Commandments’ moment. Vayishlach’s Decalogue moment happens at a time of crisis. Jacob’s sons Simeon and Levi’s committed horrendous acts, the Jacob must respond.Continue reading “Idol Reflections: Vayishlach’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Fear & Loathing In Egypt? Yayigash
“do not be afraid of going down to egypt” god the almighty, in genesis 46:1-4, bewilders. joseph, now pharoah’s second- in-charge, invites his family to settle in egypt. in canaan, the revelation of joseph’s well-being uplifts his father jacob’s spirit. with the good news, jacob announces: “let me go see him [joseph] before i die.” genesis 45:28. as readers,Continue reading “Fear & Loathing In Egypt? Yayigash”
Blessings In Perspective; Toldot
the controversy surrounding jacob’s theft of esau’s blessing from isaac should not be taken in isolation. generational blessing controversies tell us much about the character of those making the blessings. in chayeih sarah, there is the first generational blessing genesis 25:5 has abraham giving all of his possessions to isaac. abraham also gave gifts toContinue reading “Blessings In Perspective; Toldot”
Stepping Back: What About Isaac?
every jewish new year [rosh hashonah] there is the built-in controversy of the torah reading of the binding of isaac or akedah. this portion serves rabbis and other commentators well with sermons as to whether abraham right or wrong to follow god’s directive to sacrifice his child isaac? they get to ask “what should beContinue reading “Stepping Back: What About Isaac?”
A Dream of Fields: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
was it all just a dream? the torah impresses upon readers the complexities of morality. in the torah portion vayetze, jacob is trapped in a web of immorality. while god has destined jacob to be part of the abrahamic covenant, he ascent is tainted with moral dilemma and ambiguity. while god tasked jacob’s mother toContinue reading “A Dream of Fields: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
The Ten Commandments Project 