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”
Category Archives: ten commandments
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”
Balak’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
You shall not bring up the name of the Lord, your God, for a falsehood, because the Lord will not make one innocent who will bring up His name for a falsehood. Exodus 20:7 The Torah Portion Balak has this assertion: “Because I know that whoever you’ll bless will be blessed, and whoever you’ll curseContinue reading “Balak’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
June’s Micro-Postal Moment of Bliss
“All creative work is derivative” Nina Paley Thanks to the great artist Nina Paley, I consider myself a creator. After exploring through others’ work, hopefully I am able to produce a new derivative nugget. The reality is that inventive tools and past accumulated knowledge fuel creative work. Blogging solo also involves another level of creativity.Continue reading “June’s Micro-Postal Moment of Bliss”
Which Ten Commandments Should Be Placed In Schools?
Posting of the Ten Commandments is a complicated matter. The reason being is that there was many versions of the Decalogue. Thus, there is the following question. “If the Ten Commandments are to be posted in United States’ Public Schools, which version should it be?” While the journey to this inquiry is complicated, the answerContinue reading “Which Ten Commandments Should Be Placed In Schools?”
The Art of the Theme: Korah
You have so much! Because all of the congregation, all of them, are holy, and the Lord is among them. And why do you raise yourselves over the Lord’s community?” Korah speaking to Moses and Aaron Numbers 16:3 Social hierarchy is not exclusive to humans. The animal kingdom has a variety of species that areContinue reading “The Art of the Theme: Korah”
Ten Commandments’ Values
Laws signal societal values. For instance, Driving While Intoxicated Laws message many societal values. Human life and private property are to be valued; they speak to decency and disfavor with public intoxication as well. Arguably, they offer a faint endorsement for sobriety. The Decalogue promotes values as well. The Ten Commandments are endowed with aContinue reading “Ten Commandments’ Values”
The Ten Commandments Project 