Uncategorized – The Ten Commandments Project

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”

The Big Picture

Artist painting a colorful mural with people, mountains, river, city, and Hebrew lettering

How does the Decalogue serve as a Community Code of Conduct? Abraham Joshua Heschel answered this question in his seminal work The Prophets. In addressing Hebrew Bible Prophets’ role, he explains the Community Code of Conduct’s nature. His words also bring to light a modern problem. Societal concerns have become distorted and contorted. The EndContinue reading “The Big Picture”

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”

Letting Go: Vayelech

Two children sit beneath an apple tree with a coiled snake and glowing apples.

Like Moses, parents know. Their best efforts in instilling values often become futile. Both rebellion and peer pressure eradicate their influence. In the end, parents are left wondering whether they made a difference? Did their Jeanie leave the bottle altogether or is there some redemption in store down the road? In the Torah Portion Vayelech,Continue reading “Letting Go: Vayelech”

Principles vs. Societal Pursuits

Teacher presenting biblical wisdom to diverse students in a classroom; “ANCIENT WISDOM, MODERN LIVES.”

How can we judge societies? Are there principles applied to do so? Does the Hebrew Bible offer a methodology? The Hebrew Bible, in fact, yielded at least two philosophies for judge both nations, their leaders and inhabitants. The Hebrew Bible’s significance on this topic is its extensive period of observation. The Bible’s writings address theContinue reading “Principles vs. Societal Pursuits”

In Abstentia: Nitzavim

Four people sharing a meal around a table in a rustic room

We were all at Mt. Sinai To fully understand the Ten Commandments, one must not only explore the law, but also the spirituality attached to it. Legally, the Decalogue presents as a contract; a covenant. With contracts, there are parties. The Ten Commandments’ two parties are God and the Children of Israel. These two areContinue reading “In Abstentia: Nitzavim”

Forbidden Fruit? Ki Tavo

Two women carry a fruit basket while villagers celebrate in a rural valley.

Deuteronomy’s Garden of Eden connection is undeniable. The Torah’s beginning and ending theologically converge in Ki Tavo’s fruit-filled moment. A particular Ki Tavo commandment addresses an ultimate Torah issue. It brings a greater understanding of God’s role with humanity. In the end, Ki Tavo breathes new understanding into the Tree of Knowledge of Good andContinue reading “Forbidden Fruit? Ki Tavo”

The Bigger Picture: Ki Teitzei

Museum visitors viewing Van Gogh’s Sunflowers painting in a gallery

What is the Torah’s Big Picture? The answer can be achieved by making sense of a one particular perplexing commandment from the Torah Portion Ki Teitzei. Before doing so, one must understand that the Pentateuch, some opine, was intended to be a nation’s law. To accomplish this goal, the Torah is crafted with commandments thatContinue reading “The Bigger Picture: Ki Teitzei”