ten commandments – The Ten Commandments Project

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”

Talking to Strangers: The Truth Default

Man raising right hand on a book in courtroom witness stand with judge and audience in background

Is the truth special? Malcolm Gladwell’s Talking to Strangers provides answers. In Talking to Strangers, Gladwell takes on veracity. One takeaway from Gladwell’s exploration is that truth- the concept- is inextricably intertwined into humanity’s fabric. The human connection to the truth is not only profound, it may be biological. Humans, as the book reveals, possessContinue reading “Talking to Strangers: The Truth Default”

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”

Bamidbar: Numbers by Division

Accountant calculating finances with calculator, ledger, and computer spreadsheet

While Mt. Sinai’s covenant was a unifying, the Torah Portion Bamidbar’s happenings were dividing. With the nation’s birth-sanctified with a community of code of conduct- the Ten Commandments – unity was abound. In Bamidbar, a nation’s realities are confronted. The Torah Portion Bamidbar is about organization, allocation, and bean counting; it is the moment uponContinue reading “Bamidbar: Numbers by Division”

Shavuot Connections?

Woman playing wooden harp seated in a grassy stone circle at sunrise

One of the Israelite’s earliest writings is tied to Shavuot- the celebration of the Ten Commandments’ receipt at Mt. Sinai. The Song of Deborah’s connection to both the Exodus and Mt. Sinai Covenant is striking. While Deborah’s exploits and the Exodus’ events share a theme of freedom, Deborah’s remembrance of Mt. Sinai experience is quiteContinue reading “Shavuot Connections?”

Emor: All Things Being Equal

Everybody must get stoned Bob Dylan “An eye for an eye” is perhaps the most misunderstood Torah passage. Its literal interpretation sparks controversy. Often, it is interpreted as endorsing a barbaric means of justice. Mahatma Gandhi- allegedly- savaged the Torah Portion Emor passage with the assertion: “an eye for an eye will make the wholeContinue reading “Emor: All Things Being Equal”

Kedoshim: Ten Commandments Plus?

What looks like the Ten Commandments, sounds like the Ten Commandments, but isn’t the Ten Commandments? Torah Portion Kedoshim would be a good answer. Kedoshim, however, is more than the Decalogue. Kedoshim- part of Leviticus’ Holiness Code- serves a different purpose. The Torah Portion Kedoshim, while covering most of the Decalogue’s commandments, also contains additionalContinue reading “Kedoshim: Ten Commandments Plus?”

A Secular Ten Commandments’ Takeaway

Clay fragment with ancient carved symbols and inscriptions

An archaeological discovery provides ample evidence how the Ten Commandments (Decalogue) promotes secular societal values. An ancient pottery shard rather than the Ten Commandments’ two stone tablets proves this assertion. A writing of either a mere scribe or laborer speaks volumes for the one inscribed by the finger of God. Exodus 31:18. The scribe orContinue reading “A Secular Ten Commandments’ Takeaway”

Acharei: On Representation

High priest in colorful robes holding an incense censer with smoke rising inside a temple.

“Who represents me?” and “How did they get to represent me?” constituted puzzling political and theological questions for the Children of Israel. The Torah Portion Acharei is an example of Israelite representation’s confusing and circular nature. Acharei‘s priestly representation assignment for atonement marks as a starting point for this Post’s exploration of scripture’s elections, authorizations,Continue reading “Acharei: On Representation”

Metzorah: The Common Thread on Societal Needs Revealed

People dressed in ancient robes making offerings at a stone altar with smoke rising

Economic disparity is a civilization byproduct. Accumulated wealth and income earned through labor are two agents contributing to the gap. Individuals without assets and unable to work are set back. As a result, the poor people’s societal participation and opportunities are limited. The Torah, recognizing this problem, addressed the issue within a variety of commandments.Continue reading “Metzorah: The Common Thread on Societal Needs Revealed”