bel & the dragon, an apocryphal text most likely authored during the persian exilic period, is a three part fictional story serving up ten commandments’ entertainment and propaganda. bel & the dragon’s context appears to be during the period around second temple judaism. this diaspora piece addresses the challenges of living in a foreign landContinue reading “The Ten Commandments & Apocryphal Texts: Bel & The Dragon”
Category Archives: ten commandments
Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
the ten commandments didn’t drop down from mt. sinai as a totally unique set of laws. other ancient societies possessed value systems. the torah portion toldot offers a moment of shared societal values. toldot also sheds light on two puzzling passages in genesis. prior to the portion toldot, abraham and sarah-while in egypt- represented themselvesContinue reading “Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Jewish Apocrypha & The Ten Commandments: The Book of Judith
scholars date the book of judith’s authorship to approximately 100 bce. the jewish annotated apocrypha, new revised standard edition. despite judith being fictional and excluded from the bible, the text, however, may provide insight into the ten commandments’ reception during this particular period at which the macabees ruled and the temple in jerusalem was operational.Continue reading “The Jewish Apocrypha & The Ten Commandments: The Book of Judith”
Chayeh Sarah, A Ten Commandments’ Teaching Moment
You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain, for the Lord will not hold blameless anyone who takes His name in vain. exodus 20:7 the prohibition of using god’s name in vain is one of the most puzzling of the ten commandments. the torah portion chayeh sarah, however, may assistContinue reading “Chayeh Sarah, A Ten Commandments’ Teaching Moment”
A Ten Commandments’ Hero?
unwillingness to accept ignorance is a horrible human trait. we should all be able to accept the fact that we are not all knowing. the world contains much enlightening information that could either prove us wrong or supplement our understanding. as such, we need courage to either open up our smart phones and “google” toContinue reading “A Ten Commandments’ Hero?”
The City of Babel? The Torah Portion Noah
the city? yes, the city. while the “tower of babel” story is referred to as the “tower of babel”, the torah portion also references the “city of babel”. why is the “city of babel” also included? the reason is that cities play a unique role in the torah. in the “city and tower of babel”Continue reading “The City of Babel? The Torah Portion Noah”
The Jewish Apocrypha & The Ten Commandments: The Book of Susanna
beyond the torah, how are the ten commandments received into society? the jewish apocryphal texts offer some insight. while these texts are not part of the hebrew bible canon- the tanach- the torah, neveim, and ketuvim- they existed either prior to or shortly after the bible’s formalization. some of these writing addressed the ten commandmentsContinue reading “The Jewish Apocrypha & The Ten Commandments: The Book of Susanna”
Egyptian Iconoclasm & The Ten Commandments
from oxford languages, iconoclasm is defined as “the action of attacking or assertively rejecting cherished beliefs and institutions or established values and practices; or, the rejection or destruction of religious images as heretical.” in the ten commandments, exodus 20:4, indicates that “you shall not make for yourself a graven image or any likeness which is in the heavens above, which is onContinue reading “Egyptian Iconoclasm & The Ten Commandments”
The Most Honorable Star Trek Episode?
actor leonard nimoy made television history when he transformed the kohen priestly blessing sign into the iconic star trek vulcan greeting. the sign, an open hand with the two fingers on each side forming a “v”, combined with the words “live long and prosper”, capped his artistry to create a moment that audiences at largeContinue reading “The Most Honorable Star Trek Episode?”
Will A Presidential Candidate’s Two Tablets Save America?
in a nypost.com article, presidential candidate mr. vivek ramaswamy went old school. he, like the united states’ founding fathers, ventured back in time to the exodus and mt. sinai. in doing so, he produced his ten commandments for america. mt. sinai- historically- represents the first moment a freed people embarked to create a new typeContinue reading “Will A Presidential Candidate’s Two Tablets Save America?”
The Ten Commandments Project 