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”
Category Archives: ten commandments
Shavuot Connections?
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
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
“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
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”
Sabbath Meaning? Vayakhel: A Ten Commandments’ Moment
And God saw everything that He made, and … it was very good. Genesis 1:31 Why is taking time off of work in the Torah so important? The Portion Vayakhel explains it in human terms. From Exodus version of the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath refrain from labor was tied to the world’s creation. The rationaleContinue reading “Sabbath Meaning? Vayakhel: A Ten Commandments’ Moment”
A Valued Added Read: Ki Tisa
Western Civilization struggles with matters of wealth disparity and individual self-worth. The Torah Portion Ki Tisa tackled both topics in the most unusual of ways; a construction and maintenance project- the Tabernacle. In this instance, a Torah Commandment, rather than a pronouncement, shaped public opinion. Ki Tisa In Ki Tisa, specific individuals were mandated toContinue reading “A Valued Added Read: Ki Tisa”
To Err Is Divine: The Tetzaveh Haftarah
When it’s time to change, you’ve got to rearrange The Brady Bunch Mistakes happen. How do they happen? And when they do, what are the dynamics of change? This Post analyzes these questions in the context of a divine mistake. A massive error threatening the Israelite’s newly enacted political reconfiguration. This miscue required change atContinue reading “To Err Is Divine: The Tetzaveh Haftarah”
The Ten Commandments Project 