Category Archives: torah

Tazria: Beyond Comprehension?

Are there matters beyond comprehension? The Torah Portion Tazria’s Circumcision Commandment, when viewed in context, may be one of them. Appearing in Leviticus, the commandment was promulgated post-Exodus and pre-entry into the Promised Land. In a general biblical perspective, a circumcision commandment should be something benign. The instruction was: “[a]nd on the eighth day theContinue reading “Tazria: Beyond Comprehension?”

Shemini: A High Standard?

I grew up in an intoxicated world known as Los Angeles. More likely than not, my contemporaries used drugs and alcohol. Junior High School was when the abuse originated. I recall one classmate having a cornucopia of drugs stored a tin which was then housed in her locker. For another, I recall that even hisContinue reading “Shemini: A High Standard?”

Welcome to The Inner Circle? Tzav

For Kohens-Priestly descendants- the Torah Portion Tzav may be riveting. For commoners, Tzav, a section full of priestly sacrificial instructions and intricacies, is less so. Many find it a painful read. For millennia, the Book of Leviticus- which includes Tzav- has exposed outsiders to the Israelite cult’s affairs. Tzav even takes readers to the innerContinue reading “Welcome to The Inner Circle? Tzav”

Punishment: Vayikra’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Punishments are mysteriously absent from the Ten Commandments. The “shall not’s” are not accompanied by prescribed penalties. The Torah Portion Vayikra, however, begins to address commandment violation punishments. The remedies for sin, per Vayikra, are in the form of animal sacrifice and grain offerings. According to Richard Elliott Friedman, the sacrifice’s purpose was to recognizeContinue reading “Punishment: Vayikra’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Pedukei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Geography shapes both politics and religion. The Children of Israel’s wilderness wandering and their Promised Land permanence created a division between religion and politics. This division manifested in Judaism’s portability. The Torah Portion Pedukei addresses aspects of Tabernacle. This central portable structure served as a place for worship and sacrifice during the post Exodus wildernessContinue reading “Pedukei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

The Sabbath, Ki Tisa & Capitalism: A Ten Commandments’ Moment

“And you shall observe the Sabbath, because it is a holy thing to you.” Exodus 31:14 Before God’s finger inscribed the Ten Commandments onto stone tablets, Sabbath laws were known. The Torah Portion Ki Tisa extensively touched upon the Sabbath. Ki Tisa presents as an opportunity to discuss the Sabbath’s interaction with Capitalism. Can theContinue reading “The Sabbath, Ki Tisa & Capitalism: A Ten Commandments’ Moment”

The Book of Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment

“…one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” The United States’ Pledge of Allegiance What does it mean to be a nation “under God”? In Book of Chronicles, the Israelite Kingdom’s political structure was further defined. In the first book of Chronicles, the nation is abuzz. A Temple in Jerusalem was toContinue reading “The Book of Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Past Vision vs. Future Vision

It wasn’t on my bingo card, but it happened. Unforeseen circumstances led to a close encounter with the Trek-world. Sadly, it was to occur at a life celebration. My invite to the event included the enticement of: “the lady from Star Trek” was going to be there. Who could it be? When I showed up,Continue reading “Past Vision vs. Future Vision”

Setting Things In Stone? Mishpatim

“And he took the scroll of the covenant and read in the people’s ears” Exodus 24:7 The Torah Portion Mishpatim illustrates the challenges of legal literacy. In antiquity, was it possible for a fledgling nation to disseminate the concepts of societal boundaries and affirmative duties upon its citizenry? If so, what methodology could be employedContinue reading “Setting Things In Stone? Mishpatim”