On a neighborhood walk, my wife and I smelled smoke. Opposite the sunset, I viewed an ominous purple sky. My mind percolated with thoughts of another apocalyptic wildfire. An elbow to my ribs evaporated my mental state. My wife, who had been looking in the other direction, pointed to our neighbor’s bellowing chimney. Scholars, forContinue reading “Speculation on Fire: Vayakhel’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Category Archives: ten commandments
The Politics of Breaking Bread: A Second Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment
Is it possible both religion and politics can be discussed at dinner? Can there be such a thing as “breaking bread” diplomacy? King Hezekiah, in the Second Book of Chronicles, masterfully engineered such a meal. This meal, for the purposes of this blog, amounts to a Ten Commandments’ moment. While it is intimately related toContinue reading “The Politics of Breaking Bread: A Second Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Book of Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment
“…one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” The United States’ Pledge of Allegiance What does it mean to be a nation “under God”? In Book of Chronicles, the Israelite Kingdom’s political structure was further defined. In the first book of Chronicles, the nation is abuzz. A Temple in Jerusalem was toContinue reading “The Book of Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Keys To Going Postal in February
Damn my keyboard! Software gremlins, spellcheck, auto-fill, failure to save, and utter carelessness enrages me. No matter what, every post is stained with a mistake, a typo, a missed word, or an inappropriate one. Sometimes you do things out of joy and not perfection. Bull puckey! “Keys” are needed to address the technological difficulties ofContinue reading “The Keys To Going Postal in February”
The Outsider’s Ten Commandments? The Book of Ruth
“And also a great mixture had gone up with them.” Exodus 12:38 Exodus tells of others joining the Children of Israel in their departure from Egypt. Exodus 12:38. At Mt. Sinai, these outsiders stood alongside the descendants of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs. While the others had no connection to the existing generational covenants, they wereContinue reading “The Outsider’s Ten Commandments? The Book of Ruth”
The Secular Educational Value of The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments’ utility in secular educational is extensive. A discussion of the Decalogue’s historical value could constitute a semester’s long political science class. The Ten Commandments is one of the essential documents which has advanced both political philosophy and law. Understand modern governance would be replete without touching upon it. Prior to the TenContinue reading “The Secular Educational Value of The Ten Commandments”
The Top Ten? The Big Ten? Yitro
“As horrible as this is (especially in light the Aqedah), it conveys the seriousness of this commandment and of the principle that the Ten Commandments outweigh other laws.” Richard Elliott Friedman, Commentary on The Torah In legal systems, some laws override others. For example, the United States essentially has two forms of law- State andContinue reading “The Top Ten? The Big Ten? Yitro”
Sabbath Origins? Bechlach
And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because He ceased from doing all his work, which God created Genesis 2:3 While the Sabbath was established at Creation’s completion, the day of rest was imposed upon the Children of Israel. After leaving Egypt, in the Torah Portion Bechlach, Sabbath rules commenced. Before Mt.Continue reading “Sabbath Origins? Bechlach”
The Book of Daniel’s Ten Commandments’ Moments
“Being in Lion’s Den” and “Seeing the Writing on the Wall, ” are common phrases coming from the Book of Daniel. This imagery likely cemented the book’s inclusion in the Hebrew Bible. The Book of Daniel, however, is controversial. As a result of the controversies, some have opined that it is the least worthy ofContinue reading “The Book of Daniel’s Ten Commandments’ Moments”
Attention Getter? Va’eira
Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth? Rush Hour A large part of my four decades of lawyering is doing deals. Despite ample amounts of money on the table, in rare instances, a deal cannot be done. My client’s lack of capacity to agree is the reason. The client eitherContinue reading “Attention Getter? Va’eira”
The Ten Commandments Project 