“Justice, Justice you shall pursue, so that you’ll live, and you’ll take possession of the land that the Lord, your God is giving you” Deuteronomy 16:20 Prior to Deuteronomy’s “justice” pronouncement, a particular family became embroiled in a property rights dispute. The legal decision’s implications were of nationwide interest. The Portion Pinchas describes the legalContinue reading “In Justice: Pinchas”
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We Had a Chance, And Then We Didn’t
For the loser now will be later to win for the times they are a-changin Bob Dylan Our community’s Fourth of July annual dog pageant was met with great anticipation. Would this be the year that our Yorkie, a two-time loser, take the prize? While she has no repertoire of tricks- in fact none- sheContinue reading “We Had a Chance, And Then We Didn’t”
Balak’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
You shall not bring up the name of the Lord, your God, for a falsehood, because the Lord will not make one innocent who will bring up His name for a falsehood. Exodus 20:7 The Torah Portion Balak has this assertion: “Because I know that whoever you’ll bless will be blessed, and whoever you’ll curseContinue reading “Balak’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
June’s Micro-Postal Moment of Bliss
“All creative work is derivative” Nina Paley Thanks to the great artist Nina Paley, I consider myself a creator. After exploring through others’ work, hopefully I am able to produce a new derivative nugget. The reality is that inventive tools and past accumulated knowledge fuel creative work. Blogging solo also involves another level of creativity.Continue reading “June’s Micro-Postal Moment of Bliss”
The Leadership Trilogy Ends With Four Takeaways: Chukat
The apex of the Torah’s Leadership theme occurs with Moses caught in the Almighty’s crosshairs. The Portion Chukat concludes a three-part leadership masterclass. The trilogy includes the two preceding portions- Shelach and Korah. Those addressed a lower-level leadership crisis and a mid-level-leadership challenge respectively. The third masterclass installment addresses a chief executive fail. This postContinue reading “The Leadership Trilogy Ends With Four Takeaways: Chukat”
Which Ten Commandments Should Be Placed In Schools?
Posting of the Ten Commandments is a complicated matter. The reason being is that there was many versions of the Decalogue. Thus, there is the following question. “If the Ten Commandments are to be posted in United States’ Public Schools, which version should it be?” While the journey to this inquiry is complicated, the answerContinue reading “Which Ten Commandments Should Be Placed In Schools?”
The Art of the Theme: Korah
You have so much! Because all of the congregation, all of them, are holy, and the Lord is among them. And why do you raise yourselves over the Lord’s community?” Korah speaking to Moses and Aaron Numbers 16:3 Social hierarchy is not exclusive to humans. The animal kingdom has a variety of species that areContinue reading “The Art of the Theme: Korah”
The Inner Theme? Shelach
Are there hidden Torah themes? Does the Portion Shelach’s “Twelve Spies Tale” contain such a mystery theme? The major theme of Shelach is leadership. Tribal leaders botch a spy mission. Its consequence was the Israelite’s forty years of wilderness wandering. While The Twelve Spies Tale’s focus is on leaders, a hidden sub-theme appears. Detective workContinue reading “The Inner Theme? Shelach”
Ten Commandments’ Values
Laws signal societal values. For instance, Driving While Intoxicated Laws message many societal values. Human life and private property are to be valued; they speak to decency and disfavor with public intoxication as well. Arguably, they offer a faint endorsement for sobriety. The Decalogue promotes values as well. The Ten Commandments are endowed with aContinue reading “Ten Commandments’ Values”
Separation of Power? Bechaalotecha
Institution powers “will find a way. ” Dr. Ian Malcolm’s “life finds a way” from Jurassic Park rings true when political forces encroach upon the established powers. Professionally, I have witnessed existentially threatened institutions both re-invent and assert themselves. The results were shockingly successful. “Finding a way” is so powerful that even the dinosaurs foundContinue reading “Separation of Power? Bechaalotecha”
The Ten Commandments Project 