torah – The Ten Commandments Project

Matot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Bride and groom holding hands during outdoor wedding ceremony with guests and officiant

The prohibition from “using the Lord’s name in vain” is the Decalogue Commandment featured in the Torah Portion Matot. Various Matot passages specifically address vows and oaths. Oaths and vows are not only prevalent throughout the Hebrew Bible but have also been consequential. Beyond theological concerns, oaths and vows are necessary for building societies. TheyContinue reading “Matot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Phinehas: The Torah’s Executive MBA Program

Elderly man with flowing white hair blessing kneeling young man in ancient desert camp

It takes a visionary who explores the past, the present, and the future to fill top executive positions. God, in the Torah Portion Phinehas, offers up a Master Class on hiring practices. In the portion, he has the daunting task of replacing both his Prophet- national leader- as well as his High Priest- religious leader.Continue reading “Phinehas: The Torah’s Executive MBA Program”

Chukat: The Pentateuch’s MBA Program

Professor in biblical clothing teaching MBA students about leadership ethics in a lecture hall

The Pentateuch’s Management Master Class includes the Torah Portion Chukat. With God’s post-Exodus Promised Land relocation plan in crisis, the Lord must make a hard pivot. The Portions Chukat- along with Shelach and Korah- document the Deity’s resetting of his fledgling Israelite nation. Across these portions, problematic, stiff-necked and rebellious individuals plague the completion ofContinue reading “Chukat: The Pentateuch’s MBA Program”

A Major League Biblical Literacy Moment: Rainbows Matter

Four baseball players in San Francisco uniforms standing on a baseball field at sunset with a rainbow and city skyline

And the earth was corrupted before God, and the earth was filled with violence. Genesis 6:11 Balls and strikes can be called on Major League Baseball’s scriptural verse controversy. The Torah citation to Genesis 9:12-16, has been pitched by players, including the San Francisco Giant’s Laden Roupp, as worthy scripture. The players have inscribed itContinue reading “A Major League Biblical Literacy Moment: Rainbows Matter”

The Set Up: Korah

Lawyer speaking in courtroom with witness beside him and judge listening

I can’t stand it, I know you planned it Beastie Boys Moses, in the Torah Portion Korah, offers up a masterclass on the set up. The set up– as a concept- is neither benign or malicious; it is merely a cunning tactic. Often these deceptions occur right before the victim’s eyes; I know; long ago,Continue reading “The Set Up: Korah”

Behaalotecha: Age Matters?

King wearing crown and robe holding a driver’s license, young man looking worried

Governments often assign arbitrary ages to rights and obligations. Consuming alcoholic beverages, driving motor vehicles, and voting are some of legally age-restricted activities which permission can vary based upon locale. For those activities indicated above, there is no age set in stone; rather, different jurisdictions apply different ages to different acts. Simply put, in someContinue reading “Behaalotecha: Age Matters?”

A Biblical Literacy Moment: Behaalotecha: The Making of a Prophet

An older man holding a staff, a priest in colorful robes holding incense, and a young woman with a tambourine stand by a decorated tent with people gathered in the background

And a prophet did not rise again in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face-to-face. Deuteronomy 34:10 Much mystery surrounding Hebrew Bible Prophets. The Torah Portion Behaalotecha uniquely addresses prophesy. In one portion, the Prophets’ divine communication are re-defined; this transformation occurred in the middle of sibling controversy. A Biblical Literacy Moment on ProphesyContinue reading “A Biblical Literacy Moment: Behaalotecha: The Making of a Prophet”

Behar: Slipping?

Donkey carrying sacks and wooden crates with one sack falling and spilling grain

For over 35 years, I have represented individuals who have suffered tremendous life setbacks. Some have lost their jobs, their housing, or their ability to support themselves. Some have been chronically homeless. An epiphany came from these thirty-plus years of both observation of and interaction with distressed individuals: it is far more productive to helpContinue reading “Behar: Slipping?”

Emor: All Things Being Equal

Everybody must get stoned Bob Dylan “An eye for an eye” is perhaps the most misunderstood Torah passage. Its literal interpretation sparks controversy. Often, it is interpreted as endorsing a barbaric means of justice. Mahatma Gandhi- allegedly- savaged the Torah Portion Emor passage with the assertion: “an eye for an eye will make the wholeContinue reading “Emor: All Things Being Equal”

Acharei: On Representation

High priest in colorful robes holding an incense censer with smoke rising inside a temple.

“Who represents me?” and “How did they get to represent me?” constituted puzzling political and theological questions for the Children of Israel. The Torah Portion Acharei is an example of Israelite representation’s confusing and circular nature. Acharei‘s priestly representation assignment for atonement marks as a starting point for this Post’s exploration of scripture’s elections, authorizations,Continue reading “Acharei: On Representation”