in antiquity, beyond the torah, how were the ten commandments received? the jewish apocryphal texts may offer some insight. while these texts are not part of the hebrew bible canon- the tanach- the torah, neveim, and ketuvim- these writing existed either prior to or shortly after the bible’s formalization. some of these writing address theContinue reading “The Jewish Apocrypha & The Ten Commandments: The Book of the Maccabees, Volume 1”
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When You Can`t Say Something Nice…You Write
before the horrible news came out about hamas’ invasion of israel, i had been reading the first book of the maccabees. the ancient text, which is not part of the hebrew bible, details the judean-greeek conflict. the book chronicles enemies of the jews taking advantage of religious observance and commencing attacks on the sabbath. maccabeesContinue reading “When You Can`t Say Something Nice…You Write”
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?”
Richard Elliott Friedman’s “The Exodus” In Review
as a lawyer, one of my most exhilarating moment was a special hearing i did on behalf of a friend who was a client. the hearing was essentially a trial and appellate argument combined. all of my lawyering skills were taxed. it represented a culmination of years of study, practice and research. it was myContinue reading “Richard Elliott Friedman’s “The Exodus” In Review”
The Two Most Important Words
it happened again. for the sake of goodness, i decided to do something special. in the tradition of my wonderful aunts and uncles, i decided to give something to a member of the up and coming generation. over the years, my aunts and uncles went out of their way to enhance my life. my firstContinue reading “The Two Most Important Words”
The Jewish Apocrypha & The Ten Commandments: The Book of Susanna
beyond the torah, how are the ten commandments received into society? the jewish apocryphal texts offer some insight. while these texts are not part of the hebrew bible canon- the tanach- the torah, neveim, and ketuvim- they existed either prior to or shortly after the bible’s formalization. some of these writing addressed the ten commandmentsContinue reading “The Jewish Apocrypha & The Ten Commandments: The Book of Susanna”
Can You Be Inscribed in The Book of Change?
for many years, our family’s yom kippur, tradition to determine whether one’s fate concerning being inscribed in the book of life for another year was simple. we jaywalked across the busiest and dangerous street to get to synagogue. the successful crossing- with an occasional dodge of an oncoming speeder- was enough to cement that thereContinue reading “Can You Be Inscribed in The Book of Change?”
Casting A Song
this week’s torah portion- haazinu- is moses’ departing song to the children of israel. this moment highlights music’s connection to cultural memory. the bible’s earliest portions, as recognized by scholars, are songs. two of the most important being the song of the sea and the song of deborah. while we cannot re-telling oration at theContinue reading “Casting A Song”
On The Limb
for the past two weeks, horrible covid made for misery and endless days of loopiness; a perpetual four drink intoxication state. mentally, i could blow past the legal limit. the shabbat- being the first day of rosh hashonah- uniquely subjected me to constant ear ringing without a shofar’s piercing primordial wake-up call. exhausted. i passedContinue reading “On The Limb”
Egyptian Iconoclasm & The Ten Commandments
from oxford languages, iconoclasm is defined as “the action of attacking or assertively rejecting cherished beliefs and institutions or established values and practices; or, the rejection or destruction of religious images as heretical.” in the ten commandments, exodus 20:4, indicates that “you shall not make for yourself a graven image or any likeness which is in the heavens above, which is onContinue reading “Egyptian Iconoclasm & The Ten Commandments”
The Ten Commandments Project 