professor yonatan adler’s origins of judaism posits that on or about time of the maccabean revolt and the hasmonean dynasty the practice of modern day judaism emerged among the masses. in essence, torah law became widely practiced in part due to the establishment of the new government. the origins is an excellent read. it isContinue reading “Yonatan Adler’s “The Origins of Judaism” In Perspective: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
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Reading This Will Make You…Smarter…, Skepticism 101: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
with the advent of expression, manipulation was invented. individuals can be convinced of anything. manipulation employed for dishonest purposes can be dangerous. thus, the ability to be skeptical arose. this year is proof that skepticism is one of the most important tools of survival. thus, it is time to reflect on the many indicia ofContinue reading “Reading This Will Make You…Smarter…, Skepticism 101: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Building Bridges Over The Moat: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
humans want to be special. this specialness may be derived in part with one’s group association. for some groups, this uniqueness is suffering. martyrdom can be special. past wrongs and tragedies of past generations carry forward with them a strange self-esteem based upon victimhood. the desire to be number one or special can take peopleContinue reading “Building Bridges Over The Moat: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Government + Education + Parenting= “Toxic Entitlement”: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
“if a man has a wayward and rebellious son, who does not obey his father or his mother, and they chasten him, and [he still] does not listen to them, his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, and to the gate ofContinue reading “Government + Education + Parenting= “Toxic Entitlement”: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Why The Story of Chanukah Is Not Bible-Worthy: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
the chanukah tale, as told in the books of the macabees, is not part of the hebrew bible. did the ten commandments play a role in such decision? one of the bible’s themes is that the children of israel place themselves in danger when they abandon religious practices. the chanukah story includes a disturbing momentContinue reading “Why The Story of Chanukah Is Not Bible-Worthy: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
How The Lemba Found Tudor Parfitt: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
tudor parfitt, a british historian, and one of the leading academics on jewish roots in africa. he has written a number of books on the topic. mr. parfitt, in speeches, shares the tale of how he went to africa and was able to write out his ethiopian experience when he was with the beta israelContinue reading “How The Lemba Found Tudor Parfitt: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
From Hebrews 2 Hebrews? A Ten Commandments’ Tale
the faith of hebrew israelite has recently reached the mainstream media. celebrities alluding to the faith’s tenets has brought them attention. african americans have come out and professed themselves to be jews. the hebrew israelite religion, however, is not monolithic. the belief that african americans were the only decendents of israel’s 10 lost tribes has,Continue reading “From Hebrews 2 Hebrews? A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
“Toxic Entitlement” Is Academic: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
a student has been arrested and taken away from her college class. dailymail.com her professor, who ironically is reported to be the co-chair of the school’s political science, history and social justice department, engaged in an argument with the student. it escalated to the point that the police were called to address the matters asContinue reading ““Toxic Entitlement” Is Academic: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Thou Shalt Not Make Others Uncomfortable? A Ten Commandments’ Tale
approximately 50 years ago, my elementary school had a brilliant janitor. in mark twain-ish style, he conned a number young boys to spend their recess and lunch periods cleaning the campus. he armed these children with brushes and dust pans. they merrily kept this westside public school clean. fridays were the big payoff. the crewContinue reading “Thou Shalt Not Make Others Uncomfortable? A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
The Intentional & Unintentional Manufacturing of Conflict: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
our actions and others create conflict. much conflict is of one’s own, conscious or unconscious. the vayeishev torah portion for this week shows how prior event and actions create major conflict. vayeishev famously contains the tale of the “coat of many colors” and, for this post, joseph being subduing by his brothers and being takenContinue reading “The Intentional & Unintentional Manufacturing of Conflict: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
The Ten Commandments Project 