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”
Category Archives: ten commandments
In Search of The Ten Commandments
Is it possible that an English translation transformed the Ten Commandments? The answer to these questions suggests that a not so accurate translation significantly impacted theology and contemporary beliefs. To understand how this happened, the initial inquiry is the Hebrew Bible. Before doing so, an understanding of how the Hebrew phrase for the Ten CommandmentsContinue reading “In Search of The Ten Commandments”
The Answer: Mishpatim’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Why are no punishments listed within the Ten Commandments? This often asked Decalogue question is partially answered in the Torah Portion Mishpatim. The answer is two-pronged, one part is complex while the other is simple. The complex part of the answer pertains to the concept of Community vs. Individual Code of Conduct. Since the DecalogueContinue reading “The Answer: Mishpatim’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Off-the-Books Law
Is it possible to have both a Written and an Oral Law? The answer is yes! While the concept is enigmatic, from a legal standpoint, it makes complete sense. The events in the Torah Portion Yitro reveal that an Israelite legal system existed prior to the Ten Commandments. Beyond that, a body of Oral LawContinue reading “The Off-the-Books Law”
Message’s Multiple Meanings: Beshalach’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Each according to what he needs Exodus 16:16 Messages produce multiple meanings. Once transmitted, the communicator loses control. It’s the audience that captures, formulates and re-shapes the message. Pandora’s microphone anyone? In essence, one never just communicates a point. Rather, they communicate far more; they ignite a multitude of impressions, concepts or viewpoints. The TorahContinue reading “Message’s Multiple Meanings: Beshalach’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Book of Lamentations’ Ten Commandments Moment
Sometimes, it’s over. A nation is crushed. With that, people must query: “is there is anything left?” With the populace in despair, other questions arise: “How did it come to this?”; “What is to become of us?”; and “Who are we?” These questions weight heavy on a nation eternally covenanted-by Decalogue- to a Deity. Writings,Continue reading “The Book of Lamentations’ Ten Commandments Moment”
The Name: Psalm 113’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
I’ve Got a Name, I’ve Got a Name Jim Croce The Tetragrammaton- God’s four letter name- plays a central role in the Ten Commandments. In the Hebrew letters, it is spelled “yud, hay, vav, hay.” For this discussion’s purposes, The Name or the Lord refers to the Tetragrammaton. In Jewish Orthodox scriptural publications, the wordContinue reading “The Name: Psalm 113’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Perfect Swear? Vayechi’s Haftarah Ten Commandments’ Moment
Torah Reading Services include a supplemental scriptural read called the Haftarah. This canonized Extra-Pentateuchal reading was selected as it bared some relationship to the particular weekly or holiday Torah Portion. By Extra-Pentaeuchal, it means that the reading comes from other parts of the Hebrew Bible- either Prophets or Writings. Preliminary Notes With this being thisContinue reading “The Perfect Swear? Vayechi’s Haftarah Ten Commandments’ Moment”
A Mikeitz’ Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Nature of Words
While Joseph’s narrative is packed full of drama, it also includes a multitude of meaningful moments of the Ten Commandments variety. One is an exchange between Joseph and his brothers in the Torah Portion Mikeitz. This particular interaction touches on the Swearing Commandment- “Thou Shalt Not Use the Lord’s name in vain.” Swearing, within theContinue reading “A Mikeitz’ Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Nature of Words”
A Hanukkah Ten Commandments’ Moment: Covenant Signs Matter
I saw the sign And it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign Ace of Base Biblical Covenants can include signs. From Noah’s Post-Flood World to Abraham to the Children of Israel on Mt. Sinai, each of these eternal God-Human accords have a symbol. Thus, seeing a rainbow or attending a bris [ritual circumcisionContinue reading “A Hanukkah Ten Commandments’ Moment: Covenant Signs Matter”
The Ten Commandments Project 