While Joseph’s narrative is packed full of drama, it also includes a multitude of meaningful moments of the Ten Commandments variety. One is an exchange between Joseph and his brothers in the Torah Portion Mikeitz. This particular interaction touches on the Swearing Commandment- “Thou Shalt Not Use the Lord’s name in vain.” Swearing, within theContinue reading “A Mikeitz’ Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Nature of Words”
Tag Archives: biblical literacy
A Hanukkah Ten Commandments’ Moment: Covenant Signs Matter
I saw the sign And it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign Ace of Base Biblical Covenants can include signs. From Noah’s Post-Flood World to Abraham to the Children of Israel on Mt. Sinai, each of these eternal God-Human accords have a symbol. Thus, seeing a rainbow or attending a bris [ritual circumcisionContinue reading “A Hanukkah Ten Commandments’ Moment: Covenant Signs Matter”
Vayeshev: Origins of Humility?
And the man Moses was very humble, more than every human who was on the face of the earth Numbers 12:3 How does one become humble? The Torah Portion Vayeshev provides an answer; it is a Master Class in humiliation. Humiliation. as Vayeshev indicates, is a humbling mechanism. The Hebrew Bible values an individual’s capacityContinue reading “Vayeshev: Origins of Humility?”
Vayishlach:The Line
At that time many who sought righteousness and justice went out into the wilderness… 1 Maccabees 2:29 Do societies have breaking points? Can there be immovable cries of ‘enough is enough!’? If so, are leaders involved? Do these leaders possess unique capacities and characteristics? The answers to these questions begin with the Torah Portion Vayishlach.Continue reading “Vayishlach:The Line”
Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
“… be watchful to do all the laws and the judgments that I’m putting in front of you today.” Deuteronomy 11:26 Before crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land, the Children of Israel are reminded about their Divine Covenant. Laws and judgments are to be followed. In juxtaposition, the Patriarch Isaac is confined toContinue reading “Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Death’s Sanctity: Chayeh Sarah
And after that Abraham buried Sarah Genesis 23:19 The Torah holds one’s passing sacred. The Portion Chayeh Sarah unleashes life lessons surrounding death’s sanctity that continue throughout the Pentateuch. With one’s passing, there is the inevitable gathering of individuals. Some harboring long-standing consternation towards fellow funeral attendees. When Venn Diagramming life activities with the DecalogueContinue reading “Death’s Sanctity: Chayeh Sarah”
The Question: “Why?” Lech Lecha’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Make it make sense? The Torah Portion Noah’s Post-Flood Covenant should have solved all of the world’s problems. Correct? After all, the God-Human covenant assured that a world would not be subjected to another deity inflicted devastation. It was also sealed with a rainbow! Only a double rainbow could have made it better!! Genesis 8:21-22.Continue reading “The Question: “Why?” Lech Lecha’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Of Covenants, Noah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
All creative work is derivative Nina Paley What is new may in fact be old. Painting with a different color scheme; playing music in a faster tempo; or re-purposing medications for a different disease. Incremental innovations can constitute newness. Slight changes may be just as impactful as radical innovation. The latter may, in fact, beContinue reading “Of Covenants, Noah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
A Legend Preserving a Legacy? V’Zot HaBerachah: A Ten Commandments’ Moment
Barred entry into the Promised Land, Moses is buried on a mountaintop. The end? The end, for the Torah Portion V’Zot HaBerachah, actually marks the beginning. In their infancy, legacies are fragile. Upon one’s death, their legacy becomes detached from the person. They no longer are able to control what they once controlled. The seedContinue reading “A Legend Preserving a Legacy? V’Zot HaBerachah: A Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Peak Justice or Cognitive Disaster? Vayelech
Ignorance of the law is no excuse While a Torah Portion Vayelech Commandment is symbolically magnificent, in modernity it presents as a pedagogical disaster. The utopian directive, on paper, delivers knowledge of the law to the entire populace. From a cognitive science perspective, however, the commandment is a failure. Can this problematic teaching methodology explainContinue reading “Peak Justice or Cognitive Disaster? Vayelech”
The Ten Commandments Project 