Get up. Carry the boy and hold him in your hand, because I shall make him a big nation. Genesis 21: 23 The Rosh Hashonah Torah Portion tackles both matters of faith and covenant. Abraham, in the portion, is embroiled in a familial crisis. He must deal with competing maternal interests. Sarah, his wife, isContinue reading “The Rosh Hashonah Torah Portion’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Category Archives: ten commandments
Nitzavim: Of Rabbit Holes & Rashi: A Ten Commandments’ Moment
The Torah Portion Nitzavim starts with a beautiful passage advancing the Ten Commandments’ collective nature. This post explores whether the collective theme’s passage contains a hidden message. The Nitzavim passage is as follows: “You’re standing today, all of you, in front of the Lord, your God- your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers,Continue reading “Nitzavim: Of Rabbit Holes & Rashi: A Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Ki Teitzei: Bad Boys
“A question is due to knowing too little, to a desire to know more; a problem is often due to knowing too much.” Abraham J. Heschel The Torah’s controversial “bad boy” passage in the Portion Ki Teitzei fortuitously came. Within the past month, I had began reading two books on point. Abraham J. Heschel’s “WhoContinue reading “Ki Teitzei: Bad Boys”
Re’eh’s Ten Commandments’ Moment: Of Monotheism and Monolatry
The Torah Portion Re-eh presents as a rare opportunity to address the top parts of the Ten Commandments. Shortly after this event, the Children of Israel’s covenant with their Israelite God will take a new dimension. They will become a nation. Tied to being this conceived nation is fidelity towards their God. This post exploresContinue reading “Re’eh’s Ten Commandments’ Moment: Of Monotheism and Monolatry”
In Search of Moral Intelligence In the Age of AI: Going Postal in July
In trying to complete a July blog post, I ran into an AI brick wall. My one-man-blogging-band broke up! My AI band mates dropped me like I was Pete Best, Ozzie Osborne or Don Felder. Oh my! My blog’s lyrics were apparently bad. I used a naughty word- the “K” word. Yes. Somehow, I brokeContinue reading “In Search of Moral Intelligence In the Age of AI: Going Postal in July”
Lasting Impressions: Eikev
All that is gold does not glitter JRR Tolkien Years ago, a good friend invited me to a Hollywood Bowl concert. His box seats were close to the orchestra pit. Before Bowl peformances, it customary for box holders to picnicofteny bring out their fancy baskets and indulge in every imaginable delicacy and imbibe with fineContinue reading “Lasting Impressions: Eikev”
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”
Are All Commandments Equal?: Va’etchanan
The Torah houses the Decalogue. Thus, within the Pentateuch’s 613 Commandments, the Ten Commandments is a subset. The Decalogue’s location gives rise to an Orwellian query: “Are some Commandments more equal than others?” According to the Torah Portion Va’etchanan, the answer is “yes”. The Ten Commandments are different from the others. Moses explain why inContinue reading “Are All Commandments Equal?: Va’etchanan”
Matot-Massei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Due to Judaism’s Lunar Calendar, the fifty-four Torah Portions get adjusted so all can be read annually. This year, to accomplish this, the Portions Matot and Massei are combined. Matot’s Ten Commandments’ moment involving vows and oaths is this Post’s topic. Vows Vows are essentially one’s word. What is the value of “one’s word”? ToContinue reading “Matot-Massei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
In Justice: Pinchas
“Justice, Justice you shall pursue, so that you’ll live, and you’ll take possession of the land that the Lord, your God is giving you” Deuteronomy 16:20 Prior to Deuteronomy’s “justice” pronouncement, a particular family became embroiled in a property rights dispute. The legal decision’s implications were of nationwide interest. The Portion Pinchas describes the legalContinue reading “In Justice: Pinchas”
The Ten Commandments Project 