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”
Category Archives: torah
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”
Intelligent Design? Terumah
“According to everything that I show you: the design of the Tabernacle and the design of all of its equipment”
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”
The Top Ten? The Big Ten? Yitro
“As horrible as this is (especially in light the Aqedah), it conveys the seriousness of this commandment and of the principle that the Ten Commandments outweigh other laws.” Richard Elliott Friedman, Commentary on The Torah In legal systems, some laws override others. For example, the United States essentially has two forms of law- State andContinue reading “The Top Ten? The Big Ten? Yitro”
Bo: The Legacy Project
The people of the exile brought the pesach-offering on the fourteenth day of the first month. Ezra 6:10 In the throes of the Exodus, the Torah Portion Bo commands the Children of Israel to celebrate Passover. Not only was this meal to be of the moment, it was to be something for the future. BoContinue reading “Bo: The Legacy Project”
Attention Getter? Va’eira
Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth? Rush Hour A large part of my four decades of lawyering is doing deals. Despite ample amounts of money on the table, in rare instances, a deal cannot be done. My client’s lack of capacity to agree is the reason. The client eitherContinue reading “Attention Getter? Va’eira”
The Ten Commandments Project 