Tag Archives: bible

In Simplicity

If “Don’t Steal”, “Respect Each Other”, “Don’t Lie”, “Keep Your Promises” & “Respect Your Parents” were Elementary School Classroom Bulletin Board signs, what would you think?…Random sentiments? A pattern? If the Ten Commandments were posted on that very Elementary School Classroom Bulletin Board, what would you think?…Random sentiments? A pattern? This exercise’s take-away is theContinue reading “In Simplicity”

Pedukei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Geography shapes both politics and religion. The Children of Israel’s wilderness wandering and their Promised Land permanence created a division between religion and politics. This division manifested in Judaism’s portability. The Torah Portion Pedukei addresses aspects of Tabernacle. This central portable structure served as a place for worship and sacrifice during the post Exodus wildernessContinue reading “Pedukei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Speculation on Fire: Vayakhel’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

On a neighborhood walk, my wife and I smelled smoke. Opposite the sunset, I viewed an ominous purple sky. My mind percolated with thoughts of another apocalyptic wildfire. An elbow to my ribs evaporated my mental state. My wife, who had been looking in the other direction, pointed to our neighbor’s bellowing chimney. Scholars, forContinue reading “Speculation on Fire: Vayakhel’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

The Sabbath, Ki Tisa & Capitalism: A Ten Commandments’ Moment

“And you shall observe the Sabbath, because it is a holy thing to you.” Exodus 31:14 Before God’s finger inscribed the Ten Commandments onto stone tablets, Sabbath laws were known. The Torah Portion Ki Tisa extensively touched upon the Sabbath. Ki Tisa presents as an opportunity to discuss the Sabbath’s interaction with Capitalism. Can theContinue reading “The Sabbath, Ki Tisa & Capitalism: A Ten Commandments’ Moment”

The Politics of Breaking Bread: A Second Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment

Is it possible both religion and politics can be discussed at dinner? Can there be such a thing as “breaking bread” diplomacy? King Hezekiah, in the Second Book of Chronicles, masterfully engineered such a meal.  This meal, for the purposes of this blog, amounts to a Ten Commandments’ moment.  While it is intimately related toContinue reading “The Politics of Breaking Bread: A Second Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment”

The Book of Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment

“…one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” The United States’ Pledge of Allegiance What does it mean to be a nation “under God”? In Book of Chronicles, the Israelite Kingdom’s political structure was further defined. In the first book of Chronicles, the nation is abuzz. A Temple in Jerusalem was toContinue reading “The Book of Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment”

The Keys To Going Postal in February

Damn my keyboard! Software gremlins, spellcheck, auto-fill, failure to save, and utter carelessness enrages me. No matter what, every post is stained with a mistake, a typo, a missed word, or an inappropriate one. Sometimes you do things out of joy and not perfection. Bull puckey! “Keys” are needed to address the technological difficulties ofContinue reading “The Keys To Going Postal in February”

True Religion? Tetzaveh

“And Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once per year; he shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once per year through your generations. It is holy of holies to the Lord.” Exodus 30:10 Atonement is a central aspect to many religions. Alexander Pope’s “to err isContinue reading “True Religion? Tetzaveh”

Prostrate Trouble: Esther’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Prostration is central to Esther’s story.  Mordechai’s refusal to bow and prostrate himself before Haman served as the inspiration of Haman’s genocidal plot against the Jews.  Was Mordechai’s refusal a Ten Commandments’ moment?   Early in Esther’s story, Haman is promoted by King Ahasuerus to a top position.  Haman’s seat was to be above all theContinue reading “Prostrate Trouble: Esther’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”