“Appoint a man over the congregation who will go out in front of them and who will come in in front of them and who will bring them out and who will bring them in, so the Lord’s congregation won’t be a sheep that don’t have a shepherd.” Numbers 27:16-17 The Torah Portion Shoftim illustratesContinue reading “Shoftim: A Ten Commandments’ Modification?”
Category Archives: politics
The Secular Ten Commandments: Core Community Values
Out of a fiery Mt. Sinai, the Ten Commandments forged a covenant set in stone. At the moment, there was an accord. After that moment, it became something else. Since Mt. Sinai to the present, the Decalogue has become valued as an individual’s code of conduct. It remains, however, serving a greater purpose. The covenantContinue reading “The Secular Ten Commandments: Core Community Values”
Thoughts About “Revenge of The Tipping Point”
Author Malcolm Gladwell’s Revenge of the Tipping Point examines viral phenomena. Within it, he introduces the concept of the “superspreader.” He posits that “superspreaders” can create viral events. Superspreaders possess unique characteristics that make them capable of creating a viral effect. One aspect of this concept is that even one individual is needed to igniteContinue reading “Thoughts About “Revenge of The Tipping Point””
We Had a Chance, And Then We Didn’t
For the loser now will be later to win for the times they are a-changin Bob Dylan Our community’s Fourth of July annual dog pageant was met with great anticipation. Would this be the year that our Yorkie, a two-time loser, take the prize? While she has no repertoire of tricks- in fact none- sheContinue reading “We Had a Chance, And Then We Didn’t”
Separation of Power? Bechaalotecha
Institution powers “will find a way. ” Dr. Ian Malcolm’s “life finds a way” from Jurassic Park rings true when political forces encroach upon the established powers. Professionally, I have witnessed existentially threatened institutions both re-invent and assert themselves. The results were shockingly successful. “Finding a way” is so powerful that even the dinosaurs foundContinue reading “Separation of Power? Bechaalotecha”
The Politics of Breaking Bread: A Second Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment
Is it possible both religion and politics can be discussed at dinner? Can there be such a thing as “breaking bread” diplomacy? King Hezekiah, in the Second Book of Chronicles, masterfully engineered such a meal. This meal, for the purposes of this blog, amounts to a Ten Commandments’ moment. While it is intimately related toContinue reading “The Politics of Breaking Bread: A Second Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Book of Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment
“…one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” The United States’ Pledge of Allegiance What does it mean to be a nation “under God”? In Book of Chronicles, the Israelite Kingdom’s political structure was further defined. In the first book of Chronicles, the nation is abuzz. A Temple in Jerusalem was toContinue reading “The Book of Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Exodus and Revolution: A Book Review
Before I embarked on the Ten Commandments Project, reading Michael Walzer’s Exodus and Revolution would provided context as to how the Torah shaped Western Civilization’s Politics. Walzer’s text details how the Exodus narrative influenced the entire spectrum of political thought. Mr. Walzer frames the Exodus into components- Bondage, the Wilderness, the Covenant and the PromisedContinue reading “Exodus and Revolution: A Book Review”
Remembering & Forgetting: Thanksgiving
“That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks” George Washington It is only fitting that that Thanksgiving follows Presidential Elections. President Washington was keenly aware of the need for a time for the nation to unite. Many struggle the concept of getting together after engaging in almost aContinue reading “Remembering & Forgetting: Thanksgiving”
The South African (Not Elon) Who Was The Presidential Election Winner
The Harris-Trump Presidential Debate was a cat-astrophe for then Candidate Donald Trump. Frank Luntz, and other pundits, declared Mr. Trump’s rant over the immigrants of Springfield “eating the pets” as the final nail in the coffin to his campaign. The dream of a MAGA return to the White House was over. This was mainstream media’sContinue reading “The South African (Not Elon) Who Was The Presidential Election Winner”
The Ten Commandments Project 