apples to oranges? are two seminal events within torah portion chukat-balak connected? we are often told that moses was barred from entering the promised land as as result of him defiantly striking a rock to deliver water to the children of israel. is this a message from chukak-balak? in this same portion, we are toldContinue reading “Why Do We Compare? Chukat-Balak”
Category Archives: torah
The Big Kahuna Or Kehuna (כְּהֻנָּֽה)?
the torah portion korach- beginning at numbers 16- utilizes the word, כְּהֻנָּֽה, kehuna. hawaiian contains a similar word- kahuna. beyond sounding alike, their meanings bare similarity; in hebrew, kehuna refers to priesthood while the kahuna in hawaiian refers to a wise man or shaman. for some, being a kahuna is not enough. thus, we haveContinue reading “The Big Kahuna Or Kehuna (כְּהֻנָּֽה)?”
Of Context in Isolation; Monday Morning Portion Quarterback
why are events blown out of proportion? context matters. in the shlach torah portion, the unthinkable happens- an “unnamed” individual is stoned to death for picking up wood on the sabbath. wild? nothing could be more “out of control” than the events happening in the portion shlach. the children of israel drama included (1) theContinue reading “Of Context in Isolation; Monday Morning Portion Quarterback”
The Unmentioned Revolution?
author yuval noah hareri’s sapiens details humanity’s many revolutions including cognitive, agricultural and scientific. one significant development, however, was not afforded a revolutionary label. this development is referenced in the torah portion bo. with the exodus emancipation, the children of israel’s initial commandment from the master of the universe is perhaps shocking. it was aContinue reading “The Unmentioned Revolution?”
The Most Important Word; Shlach
one word in the english language terrifies most individuals- accountability. acceptance of failure, fret over more labor to be done, and the feeling of being trapped are among the emotions that cause us to wake up in a pool of sweat. these emotions come with accountability. the shlach torah portion takes us to an existentialContinue reading “The Most Important Word; Shlach”
Does Age Matter? Parshat Behaalotecha
according to the national institute of health, “the brain finishes developing and maturing in the mid-to-late 20s. the part of the brain behind the forehead, called the prefrontal cortex, is one of the last parts to mature. this area is responsible for skills like planning, prioritizing, and making good decisions.” in the torah, ages haveContinue reading “Does Age Matter? Parshat Behaalotecha”
Was The Greatest Find A Blessing? The Portion Naso: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
what was the most significant biblical archeological find? the dead sea scrolls? others may argue that another discovery evidencing the torah portion naso brings us historically closer to mt. sinai. in 1979, israeli archaeologist mr. gabriel barkay, with the help of one of his young workers, found a silver amulet in a jerusalem burial tomb.Continue reading “Was The Greatest Find A Blessing? The Portion Naso: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Sometimes, There Is No Simple Answer; Shavuot: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
as a lawyer, i am besieged with questions upon which there is no simple answer. likewise, there is the conundrum of giving an abbreviated answer. with short answers, there is the fear that i will be accused of providing something inaccurate or misleading. at times, when there is no simple answer, i often tell theContinue reading “Sometimes, There Is No Simple Answer; Shavuot: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Being of Service: Behar-Bechukotai: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
“you’re gonna have to serve somebody” bob dylan bob dylan’s gospel classic “gotta serve somebody” craftily lists a variety of individuals-some with power and prestige- with the reminder that there is a higher power that must be reckoned with. the song, composed during dylan’s christianity phase, presents the choice of service to either the devilContinue reading “Being of Service: Behar-Bechukotai: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
PETA’s Unethical Treatment of the Bible: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
ancient words have meaning; ancient words from the master of the universe- even more. bearing this in mind, the people for the ethical treatment of animals (peta), according to a foxnews report, have created their own self-serving artificial intelligence crafted vegan version of the bible. equally disturbing is the foxnews reporting which presents as journalisticContinue reading “PETA’s Unethical Treatment of the Bible: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
The Ten Commandments Project 