Governments often assign arbitrary ages to rights and obligations. Consuming alcoholic beverages, driving motor vehicles, and voting are some of legally age-restricted activities which permission can vary based upon locale. For those activities indicated above, there is no age set in stone; rather, different jurisdictions apply different ages to different acts. Simply put, in someContinue reading “Behaalotecha: Age Matters?”
Tag Archives: faith
Naso: A Blessing Like No Other
May the good Lord be with you down every road you roam-And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you’re far from home- And may you grow to be proud dignified and true- And do unto others as you’d have done to you. Rod Stewart The Torah Portion Naso’s Priestly Blessing is one of theContinue reading “Naso: A Blessing Like No Other”
Shavuot Connections?
One of the Israelite’s earliest writings is tied to Shavuot- the celebration of the Ten Commandments’ receipt at Mt. Sinai. The Song of Deborah’s connection to both the Exodus and Mt. Sinai Covenant is striking. While Deborah’s exploits and the Exodus’ events share a theme of freedom, Deborah’s remembrance of Mt. Sinai experience is quiteContinue reading “Shavuot Connections?”
Behar: Slipping?
For over 35 years, I have represented individuals who have suffered tremendous life setbacks. Some have lost their jobs, their housing, or their ability to support themselves. Some have been chronically homeless. An epiphany came from these thirty-plus years of both observation of and interaction with distressed individuals: it is far more productive to helpContinue reading “Behar: Slipping?”
Emor: All Things Being Equal
Everybody must get stoned Bob Dylan “An eye for an eye” is perhaps the most misunderstood Torah passage. Its literal interpretation sparks controversy. Often, it is interpreted as endorsing a barbaric means of justice. Mahatma Gandhi- allegedly- savaged the Torah Portion Emor passage with the assertion: “an eye for an eye will make the wholeContinue reading “Emor: All Things Being Equal”
Kedoshim: Ten Commandments Plus?
What looks like the Ten Commandments, sounds like the Ten Commandments, but isn’t the Ten Commandments? Torah Portion Kedoshim would be a good answer. Kedoshim, however, is more than the Decalogue. Kedoshim- part of Leviticus’ Holiness Code- serves a different purpose. The Torah Portion Kedoshim, while covering most of the Decalogue’s commandments, also contains additionalContinue reading “Kedoshim: Ten Commandments Plus?”
Acharei: On Representation
“Who represents me?” and “How did they get to represent me?” constituted puzzling political and theological questions for the Children of Israel. The Torah Portion Acharei is an example of Israelite representation’s confusing and circular nature. Acharei‘s priestly representation assignment for atonement marks as a starting point for this Post’s exploration of scripture’s elections, authorizations,Continue reading “Acharei: On Representation”
Tazria: Medicine’s Trajectory?
Before Organized Medicine, the Torah addressed the Healing Arts with a multi-factorial approach. A Pantheon of Professionals, Prophets and Priests collaborated with the Israelite Deity to address national health care concerns. The Torah Portion Tazria focuses on the Priest’s role in medicine. With Tazria, and other Torah Portions, both politics and theology flesh out variousContinue reading “Tazria: Medicine’s Trajectory?”
Evolution: Tzav
…for I am the Lord Who does kindness, justice and righteousness in the land, for in these is My desire… Jeremiah 9:23 Scripture’s wisdom is partly due to the extended period of time covered. From a political viewpoint, the Hebrew Bible captures a pre-nation’s exuberance and anxiety; it documents both national and theological power strugglesContinue reading “Evolution: Tzav”
Mechanism: Vayikra
Or when he will touch a human’s impurity– for any impurity of his through which he will become impure… Leviticus 5:3 How does society address individuals’ misdeeds? Is there any written code to get them back into the fold? “No” is the answer in modernity. In antiquity, however, a written code existed; it was promulgatedContinue reading “Mechanism: Vayikra”
The Ten Commandments Project 