Abraham J. Heschel’s Stanford University lectures in May of 1963 were edited and published. The question was: “Who Is Man?” Within the lectures, he introduced the concepts of the “question” and the “problem.” Heschel noted “[a] question is due to knowing too little, to a desire to know more; a problem is often due toContinue reading “If Heschel Met God”
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Issue Spotting: Vayeitzei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Issue Spotting is an essential legal skill. The Torah Portion Vayeitzei provides a target rich environment to employ it to address Decalogue and Decalogue-adjacent issues. The Portion offers an opportunity to unleash one’s inner barrister! For those wanting to taste the legal profession or a Bar Exam, this Post invites you into an attorney’s mindset.Continue reading “Issue Spotting: Vayeitzei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Poetry On Odds?
Can a poem can be reduced to a statistical discourse? While not an eclectic Tom Lehrer composition, a scriptural poem’s profound imagery can be reduced to numbers. For Mr. Leher, his song –The Elements- provides Chemistry Student a tool for memorizing the Periodic Table. For the Hebrew Bible’s Psalm #1, a numerical calculus is suggestedContinue reading “Poetry On Odds?”
The Poetry of Politics?
The Book of Psalms, is a collection of 150 poems. While they are attributed to King David, historically, the Psalms were written by a variety of individuals. Further, their composition and crafting span hundreds of years. It is opined that they were compiled into final form during the Babylonian exile. Psalms are used within dailyContinue reading “The Poetry of Politics?”
Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
“… be watchful to do all the laws and the judgments that I’m putting in front of you today.” Deuteronomy 11:26 Before crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land, the Children of Israel are reminded about their Divine Covenant. Laws and judgments are to be followed. In juxtaposition, the Patriarch Isaac is confined toContinue reading “Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Of Miraclism, Probabilities, Possibilities &… Life
In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened! Vin Scully Sports have miracle moments. The 2025 Baseball World Series was loaded with them; it’s a numbers’ game. In Baseball, the team holding the lead into the ninth inning has ever increasing odds of winning. In turn, the opposing team in deficitContinue reading “Of Miraclism, Probabilities, Possibilities &… Life”
Death’s Sanctity: Chayeh Sarah
And after that Abraham buried Sarah Genesis 23:19 The Torah holds one’s passing sacred. The Portion Chayeh Sarah unleashes life lessons surrounding death’s sanctity that continue throughout the Pentateuch. With one’s passing, there is the inevitable gathering of individuals. Some harboring long-standing consternation towards fellow funeral attendees. When Venn Diagramming life activities with the DecalogueContinue reading “Death’s Sanctity: Chayeh Sarah”
Between Yahwism and Judaism: A Review & Critique
May you live in interesting times Author Yonatan Adler’s prequel to his Origins of Judaism entitled Between Yahwism and Judaism explores a pre-Judaistic period. His new book examines the period immediately prior to the emergence of widespread Torah adherence in antiquity. In Origins, Professor Adler opined that the Levant’s popular Torah practice began during theContinue reading “Between Yahwism and Judaism: A Review & Critique”
The Great Compromise? Vayera
Will the judge of all the earth not do justice? Genesis 18:25 Deep theological moments blow up in the Torah Portion Vayera. While Vayera tiptoes on an ultimate question of Why do bad things happen to good people?, the portion formidably speaks to the value of community. In Vayera, an exceptionable Torah passage peers intoContinue reading “The Great Compromise? Vayera”
Virtue Unleashed? Lech Lecha
Can one person transform the world? According to the Torah Portion Lech Lecha, “Yes.” For over two thousand years, scholars, commentators, and social scientists have tackled the Lech Lecha phenomena. In Modernity In 2000, Malcolm Gladwell explored the viral nature of human activity. In The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference,Continue reading “Virtue Unleashed? Lech Lecha”
The Ten Commandments Project 