torah – The Ten Commandments Project

Economics in the Torah: Vayigash: Jubilee’s Genesis?

An anime-style illustration of famous economist David Ricardo speaking with Joseph about economics. David Ricardo should be recognizable as the historical English classical economist, dressed in early 19th-century attire; Joseph should appear as a dignified biblical-era figure in robes. Show them engaged in thoughtful conversation in a warm, scholarly setting with subtle economic imagery such as books, scrolls, and trade goods. Respectful, cinematic composition, expressive faces, polished anime art, no text or captions.

Economic-oriented laws date to antiquity. Rent control, minimum wage and pricing controls are some modern examples of these measures. Each law is meant to address particular concerns- housing, the ability to earn enough to afford life’s necessities, and the ability to afford an essential good. Their effectiveness and positive impact are subject to debate. OneContinue reading “Economics in the Torah: Vayigash: Jubilee’s Genesis?”

Miketz’ Biblical Literacy Moment

Use the original anime illustration as the source. Keep the same Pharaoh, Joseph, psychologist setting, anime style, clothing, facial features, colors, composition, and psychiatrist office. Turn the psychiatrist couch so it faces in the opposite direction, while keeping Pharaoh lying on the couch and Joseph seated in a chair taking notes. Preserve the overall scene and do not change the characters or add anyone.

In the Book of Zechariah, the Lord spirited Zerubbabel. He, one of the first group of Jews returning from Babylonian Exile, was tasked to rebuild the Temple. In imbuing Zerubbabel, the Lord famously stated: “Not through might or through power, but through My spirit.” Zechariah 4:6. An individual divine spirited is not a one-time scriptureContinue reading “Miketz’ Biblical Literacy Moment”

Darmok and Jalad at Tenagra: Vayishlach’s Biblical Literacy Moment

Anime-style illustration of a Star Trek Tamarian character alongside Jacob and Esau, preserving the existing scene, characters, composition, and visual style. Remove all communication symbols, icons, glyphs, captions, speech symbols, and floating symbolic markings from the image. Do not include Captain Picard. Keep the characters and background intact.

For Star Trek TNG fans, the phrase “Darmok and Jalad at Tenagra” is meaningful. To them, it rekindles their memory of a television episode that explored language and communication. In it, the Enterprise crew encountered an alien species- the Tamarians- for which their universal translator did not work. The problem was that the Tamarians’ languageContinue reading “Darmok and Jalad at Tenagra: Vayishlach’s Biblical Literacy Moment”

The Bereshit Haftarah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

A Haftarah is part of the Torah Reading Service. The Haftarah reading- a supplemental reading from non-Torah scripture- is a passage selected because it relates to the Torah Portion that is read. One theory advanced as to why there are Haftarah readings is that they began at a time when public Torah reading was forbidden;Continue reading “The Bereshit Haftarah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Next Level Common Knowledge: Sukkoth

Two men conversing beside fruit and pottery in an ancient desert marketplace

Steven Pinker examines Common Knowledge in his work: When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows…: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life (2025, Scribner.) Dr. Pinker’s Common Knowledge is a term meant to describe human interactions and the knowledge of the individuals interacting. The Sukkoth Holiday- the Festival of Booths- Torah PortionContinue reading “Next Level Common Knowledge: Sukkoth”

V’zot Haberachah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

An anime-style illustration of Moses blessing the Levites. Moses is depicted as a wise, elderly man with long white hair and beard, wearing flowing robes, his hands raised in blessing. The Levites kneel or stand before him in reverence, dressed in ancient Hebrew priestly garments. The scene has dramatic anime lighting with glowing divine light emanating from Moses, detailed expressive faces, and a celestial background with clouds and golden rays. Art style similar to epic anime like Demon Slayer or Attack on Titan.

Before the Torah’s finale, Moses charged parents to educate their children. In the Torah’s final portion, V’zot Haberachah, Moses charges the Levites to educate the Israelite nation. In Moses’ blessing to the tribe, he assigns them a special assignment. Forever more, the Levites were tasked to provide covenantal education to the nation. This tasking raisesContinue reading “V’zot Haberachah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Institutionalized Randomness: The Goat, A Yom Kippur Thought

Two goats walking through an ancient desert settlement beneath a large temple

Who will live, and Who will die Yom Kippur’s Torah Portion is the goat on randomness. What should we take away from the universe filled with uncertainty? Yom Kippur- the Day of Atonement- is a moment in which life’s uncertainty is brought to the forefront. It is done with the reading of one of theContinue reading “Institutionalized Randomness: The Goat, A Yom Kippur Thought”

Ha’Azinu’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Mother and child reading “The Starry Moon and the Whispering Woods”

These go to eleven Nigel Tufnel Moses, in the Ha’Azinu Torah Portion, lectures to the Children of Israel their covenantal responsibilities. In his speech, Moses raises parental responsibilities of the requirement to teach their progeny the commandments. While the Decalogue served as a Community Code of Conduct, the Commandments did not fully lay out theContinue reading “Ha’Azinu’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Who’s Testing Who? The Akedah

Nervous man taking an exam in a crowded classroom

Who’s actually being tested with the Akedah? Rosh Hashanah’s Second Day Torah Portion feature the famous Binding of Isaac. With its holiday reading, Abraham is not tested for his near sacrifice of his son Isaac. His test was a few thousands of years ago on Mt. Moriah. Rather, those presently reading, listening, and discussing theContinue reading “Who’s Testing Who? The Akedah”

Well, Well, Well: A Rosh Hashanah Tale

Bearded elder addressing families among tents, sheep, and campfires in a desert valley

During the holiday season, sometimes we have to be the “bigger” person. Being largesse is often necessary during the High Holiday season. Rosh Hashanah- the New Year- and Yom Kippur- the Day of Atonement- often come with close encounters of the uncomfortable kind. This especially happens on neutral grounds; synagogues and places of worship. Frankly,Continue reading “Well, Well, Well: A Rosh Hashanah Tale”