Finding “Ten Commandments’ Moments” within each and every weekly Torah Portion is challenging. Cubits, genealogies and the instructions for priestly sacrifices offer impediments. The Portion Tzav ironically is one involving priestly sacrifice. Tzav discusses burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings in much detail. Is there a connection between these sacrifices and the Ten Commandments?Continue reading “Tzav, A Ten Commandments’ Moment?”
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A Second Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: How Josiah Saved Passover
History’s greatest biblical scroll discovery was not the Dead Sea Scrolls found in Qumran. Rather, Hilkiah’s scroll discovery in the Temple during King Josiah’s reign was both the most important and impactful. While the Dead Sea Scrolls provided to the world a glimpse of Second Temple Judaism and revealed the Hebrew Bible’s textual transmission integrity,Continue reading “A Second Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: How Josiah Saved Passover”
Elijah, The Sequel-A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment
While the Prophet Elijah’s initial tale in the First Book of Kings is epic. After Elijah’s Mt. Sinai moment of crisis, the most famous Tishbite’s second act does not disappoint. He is the Don Corleone of Prophets. His Part II is satisfyings. Perhaps, he is also the Michael Corleone of Prophets. Elijah’s inital story isContinue reading “Elijah, The Sequel-A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Elijah, Israel’s Moses?
If the Hebrew Bible was being crafted as a movie script, half-way through the screen play of the Book of Kings an emergency writers’ meeting would have taken place. “Writers, we have a problem!” The Lead Writer would bemoan that the fledgling spin-off Northern Kingdom- Israel- was lacking. No intriguing characters! No cool locations! NoContinue reading “Elijah, Israel’s Moses?”
A Ten Commandments’ Moment From Vayikra: A Legit Split?
Some commentators break down the Ten Commandments into two sections, five-and-five. The first group of five are laws detailing one’s relationship with God; the second set dealing with purely human relations. Does the Torah Portion Vayikra’s Ten Commandments’ moment dispel this assertion? Vayikra includes the following passage relevant to the Decalogue: “And the Lord spokeContinue reading “A Ten Commandments’ Moment From Vayikra: A Legit Split?”
A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Question Authority?
Questioning authority and choosing correct counsel are critical life skills. To question authority, courage, confidence, bravery and confusion are important traits. The same is with taking counsel. Seeking and receiving advice should not reflexively rubberstamp the suggestions imparted. The First Book of Kings offers an example which is a masterclass in failure. Likewise, it isContinue reading “A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Question Authority?”
A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Solomon’s Failure
Much wisdom can be imparted from Solomon’s demise. The King’s penchant for many wives and concubines set in motion the united Israelite monarchy’s destruction. Inevitably, a violation of the Ten Commandments brought forth the fracture. The First Book of Kings reports that: “Solomon grew old [and] his wives swayed his heart after gods of others,Continue reading “A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Solomon’s Failure”
Pedukei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Haftorah
And all the work that King Solomon had wrought in the house of the Lord was finished… And the Lord has established his word that he spoke, and I have risen up in the place of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord spoke, and have built a houseContinue reading “Pedukei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Haftorah”
A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Vows To Make & Vows To Break
Post-Pentatuch, Scripture must be scrutinized over its treatment the Ten Commandments. This treatment should consider both the reported periods of biblical history as well the period of the text’s composition. In both periods, there was an understanding of Ten Commandments. During various periods of time, it should be appreciated that meanings and applications possibly varied.Continue reading “A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Vows To Make & Vows To Break”
Lost In Translation? “Shall” or “May”
Legalese is full of magical incantation; alchemous word precision can secure financial victory or exact an extended incarceration. With these stakes, Judges and Lawyers use their words wisely. Ambiguity within legalese is the murky moat of despair. As such, translations of legal works can serve as bucketfuls of polluted moat water. Unclear, imprecise and biasedContinue reading “Lost In Translation? “Shall” or “May””
The Ten Commandments Project 