ten commandments – The Ten Commandments Project

In Abstentia: Nitzavim

Four people sharing a meal around a table in a rustic room

We were all at Mt. Sinai To fully understand the Ten Commandments, one must not only explore the law, but also the spirituality attached to it. Legally, the Decalogue presents as a contract; a covenant. With contracts, there are parties. The Ten Commandments’ two parties are God and the Children of Israel. These two areContinue reading “In Abstentia: Nitzavim”

Thou Shalt Not Procrastinate? Ki Teitzei

Two male students in uniforms shake hands in a school hallway

Is procrastination a commandment violation? The Torah Portion Ki Teizei addresses this put-off subject tied to the Decalogue. In a passage exploring the significance of the passage of time, the Ten Commandments becomes relevant. Beyond excoriating the usual suspects- all of us who delay fulfilling commitments, the Torah implores people to do one of theContinue reading “Thou Shalt Not Procrastinate? Ki Teitzei”

Who Is He? Definitions: Eikev: A Ten Commandments’ Moment

Man writing Hebrew characters on a chalkboard in front of a seated crowd outdoors

The Ten Commandments, being a contract, identifies the parties. In the Decalogue, “I am the Lord, your God” is the party of the first part, and the party of the second part are the individuals he brought out from the Land of Egypt. Exodus 20:2 Give this limited description of the part of the firstContinue reading “Who Is He? Definitions: Eikev: A Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Moshe’s Ten Commandments

An older man with gray hair and beard walks on a rocky mountain path holding two stone tablets with Hebrew and English text.

The mind-boggling part of the Ten Commandments is the multitude of versions. In Hebrew alone, there is the original Exodus version, the Deuteronomy version, and even a Dead Sea Scrolls version. In English translations, there are quite a number. Translated versions are driven for multitude of reasons; theology, accuracy and brevity are all factors. TheseContinue reading “Moshe’s Ten Commandments”

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”