An epic Ten Commandments’ moment occurred in last Saturday’s Sukkot Torah Portion reading. While the entire Portion is an essential scriptural read (Exodus 33:12-34:26), there is one revealing Decalogue-related passage. Words Alone? Is the Ten Commandments just simply about the words? Or, is there something about the commandments that is beyond the words? The SukkotContinue reading “A Very Ten Commandments’ Moment: This Sukkot’s Saturday Torah Portion”
Category Archives: ten commandments
Sabbath Morning Quarterback
On Yom Kippur, I came across an article discussing commandment fulfillment. It addressed how the changing world plays a role. The impetus for these thoughts was the chaotic period of post-World War I. It noted that “[i]n such times, even imperfect mitzvos [commandments] are of relatively great value before God, because they come at suchContinue reading “Sabbath Morning Quarterback”
Going Postal In September: The AI Artist?
For some years, painting was my hobby. Sometimes, I was able to convert my brush stroke errors into the trappings of an attractive canvas piece. In recent years, blogging replaced my abstract art obsession. With blogging came new challenges like writing and…graphics. When entering into the blogging world, master bloggers hand down the following adviceContinue reading “Going Postal In September: The AI Artist?”
A Success Story: Ki Tavo
To get a good job, with a great starting salary Dean Van Horne, Accepted As the Pentateuch’s calendar year reading rapidly nears completion, the Torah Portion Ki Tavo answers an essential Ten Commandments’ question. While the Portion Ki Tavo is packed with a rich multitude of Decalogue topics, one passage answers a query which isContinue reading “A Success Story: Ki Tavo”
Thou Shalt Not Be A Pig? Ki Tezieh
But if you try sometime, you’ll find that you get what you need Rolling Stones A two-sentence kerfuffle! Oh my! A particularly short Ki Tezieh Torah Portion passage presents with mind-bending complexity. While these two sentences yield a multitude of interpretations, the text contains a kernel that yields an undisputable consensus opinion: “Don’t be aContinue reading “Thou Shalt Not Be A Pig? Ki Tezieh”
The Icing On The Decalogue’s Cake: Shoftim
My wife loves to make up rules. While in scripture the laws often are preceded by “and the Lord spoke to Moses,” for me, the words “from now on…” often initiates a session of marital legislation at most likely an inopportune time. Who makes laws while struck driving on the 405! For me, matrimonial governmentContinue reading “The Icing On The Decalogue’s Cake: Shoftim”
Of Crossing Over? Re’eh
I walk the line Johnny Cash Life comes with beginnings: a new school, a new job, a new love of one’s life. With the new comes the unknown. While we may possess some rudimentary grasp of what is to become, the unknown remains an element with each and every new encounter. What will the newContinue reading “Of Crossing Over? Re’eh”
An Eleventh Commandment? A Personal Proposal
I was once like you are now and I know that it’s not easy Cat Stevens Sometimes life is simply better with an eleven. For Spinal Tap fans, they all know that when things need to get a rockin’ at the next level, the amp knob is turned from ten to eleven. For the luckyContinue reading “An Eleventh Commandment? A Personal Proposal”
In The Beginning, There Was Hebrew School
While teaching their respective university classes, two renowned Hebrew Bible Scholars exposed themselves as to their humble beginnings. At Yale Divinity School, Professor and Author Joel Baden, when lecturing on the Book of Genesis’ dual flood narratives, broke out into a fine rendition of “Noah, he built em, he built em, an arky arky…” AtContinue reading “In The Beginning, There Was Hebrew School”
Superman & The Ten Commandments
Truth, Justice & The American Way Mottos can brilliantly reduce complex matters into a simple phrase. With just a few words, a great motto captures the essence of a person, a place, or a thing. Mottos are ubiquitous. Around Los Angeles, “to Protect and to Serve” is emblazoned upon police vehicles. Once upon a timeContinue reading “Superman & The Ten Commandments”
The Ten Commandments Project 