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”
Category Archives: joseph
Vayeshev: Origins of Humility?
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?”
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 Past Should Be History: Miketz
“There shall be one instruction for the citizen and for the alien who resides among you.” Exodus 12:49 Modern sensibilities are a barrier towards education. Loaded with troubling passages, The Torah makes a perfect target for contemporary erasers and white washers. Problematic events, offensive words and horrifying circumstances serve as pedagogical tools. Those representing moralityContinue reading “The Past Should Be History: Miketz”
The Helicopter God
long before the helicopter’s invention, there was “helicopter parenting”. did this parenting-style inspire creating that flying contraption? there is no need to drone on about it. buddha’s father is perhaps the most well-known and ancient of the airborne parent. he essentially trapped his son into a palatial lifestyle. eventually, the buddha would exit his protected life toContinue reading “The Helicopter God”
Of Dreams: Mikeitz
my eyes fixated on the blue book resting on the tiny lecture hall foldable desk. having exerted maximum mental effort, the test was over; the flimsy pamphlet was closed. i looked up; the cavernous hall was empty. looking down, i was naked. panic ensued as i contemplated how i was going navigate through the busy campusContinue reading “Of Dreams: Mikeitz”
The Stories That Shaped The Ten Commandments, Part #4: Genesis 39:6-20: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
joseph’s stories are perhaps the most memorable with respect to the ten commandments. the story of joseph and potiphar’s wife evidences that the “actual” children of israel, as opposed to the “children of israel” who were at mt. sinai, were conscious of some of the commandments prior to their issuance. in other words, the tenContinue reading “The Stories That Shaped The Ten Commandments, Part #4: Genesis 39:6-20: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
The Stories That Shaped The Ten Commandments, Part #3: Genesis 37:3-4, 18-35: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
the ten commandments just did not just miraculously appear at the top of mt. sinai. as families grew, family interactions became more complex and controversy arose. the patriarch jacob’s favoring of one child, joseph, over his others led to a cascade of immoral acts. joseph’s story offers many lessons. coveting, lying, murder, honoring one’s parents,Continue reading “The Stories That Shaped The Ten Commandments, Part #3: Genesis 37:3-4, 18-35: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
The Ten Commandments Project 