the controversy surrounding jacob’s theft of esau’s blessing from isaac should not be taken in isolation. generational blessing controversies tell us much about the character of those making the blessings. in chayeih sarah, there is the first generational blessing genesis 25:5 has abraham giving all of his possessions to isaac. abraham also gave gifts toContinue reading “Blessings In Perspective; Toldot”
Category Archives: torah
Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
the ten commandments didn’t drop down from mt. sinai as a totally unique set of laws. other ancient societies possessed value systems. the torah portion toldot offers a moment of shared societal values. toldot also sheds light on two puzzling passages in genesis. prior to the portion toldot, abraham and sarah-while in egypt- represented themselvesContinue reading “Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
3-D Righteousness: Lech Lecha
the phrase “3-D chess” connotes a higher intellect. the original star trek television series’ introduced 3-D chess as a futuristic recreational activity. the fact that mr. spock took his time to play it logically implied that the game was for those with great intellect and reason. the term “3-D chess” has two components. first, thereContinue reading “3-D Righteousness: Lech Lecha”
“In His Image” Day?
the list goes on forever, there is “taco” day, “hamburger” day and “donut” day. today, this friday, according to some, is being offered up as “jihad” day. with no rules and regulations concerning “day” claiming, the ten commandments project has chosen to declare today as today “in his image” day. “in his image” day pertainsContinue reading ““In His Image” Day?”
Should God’s Understanding Matter With Torah Interpretation?
professor richard elliott friedman, in his commentary on the torah, pages 180-181, as well as in his book the exodus and in his lectures, tackles the famous passage of describing moses as being “heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue”. this passage- part of the exchange between the master of the universe and moses duringContinue reading “Should God’s Understanding Matter With Torah Interpretation?”
Stepping Back: What About Isaac?
every jewish new year [rosh hashonah] there is the built-in controversy of the torah reading of the binding of isaac or akedah. this portion serves rabbis and other commentators well with sermons as to whether abraham right or wrong to follow god’s directive to sacrifice his child isaac? they get to ask “what should beContinue reading “Stepping Back: What About Isaac?”
Attention? Ki Tavo
if a ufo landed on earth and an extra terrestrial emerged with the mission to study religion, perhaps they would decide to attend a traditional jewish prayer saturday morning service. without knowing the language, they would experience a few moments in which the would witness an arroused congregation. they would see a few moments ofContinue reading “Attention? Ki Tavo”
Anthony Robbins & The Torah; Shoftim
anthony robbins’ awaken the giant within profoundly changed my life. to be a success in the game of life, one not only needs to have goals, they also need a strategy to accomplish them. awaken the giant within integrates goal setting with goal completion. many people are full of regrets; i always hear more “iContinue reading “Anthony Robbins & The Torah; Shoftim”
Next Level Relationship(s)? Re’eh
while there are the ordinary relationships of parent-child, husband-wife, sibling-sibling, friend and neighbor, there are also the extraordinary. the torah portion re’eh speaks of two unique relationships involving spirituality. while many people have relationships with god, what is it? further, people form relationships with religious leaders, spiritual figures and influencers. moses, in re-eh, cautions onContinue reading “Next Level Relationship(s)? Re’eh”
The Ultimate Role Model? Eikev
You take the good, you take the bad,you take them both The Facts of Life Song, Lyrics by Alan Thicke, Gloria Loring and Al Burton source: lyricsondemand.com the torah- as a role model source- is problematic. most revered figures have serious flaws; moses murdered a task master and jacob, in stealing brother’s birthright, deceived hisContinue reading “The Ultimate Role Model? Eikev”
The Ten Commandments Project 