Tag Archives: faith

The Outsider’s Ten Commandments? The Book of Ruth

“And also a great mixture had gone up with them.” Exodus 12:38 Exodus tells of others joining the Children of Israel in their departure from Egypt. Exodus 12:38. At Mt. Sinai, these outsiders stood alongside the descendants of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs. While the others had no connection to the existing generational covenants, they wereContinue reading “The Outsider’s Ten Commandments? The Book of Ruth”

Of Moses & Mangione

The UnitedHealthcare CEO’s assassination tale bares similarity to Moses’ murder of the Egyptian Taskmaster. Laying in wait was the modus operandi for both. In the Moses’ case, it was an unnamed Hebrew Slave’s rebuke of Moses that saved Western Civilization. Mr. Lugi Mangione is the alleged CEO assassin. His background has much in common withContinue reading “Of Moses & Mangione”

Location, Location, Location! Toldot

In Lech Lecha, God famously instructs Abraham to go to the Promised Land. In the Torah Portion Toldot, God advises Isaac, Abraham’s son, not to leave that very land. Genesis 12:1,26:2-3. What is the fixation over this parcel? Sans Hebrew Bible, extra-biblical sources support the Promised Land’s uniqueness. Geography and history shows Canaan’s incubation effect.Continue reading “Location, Location, Location! Toldot”

The “Art of the Deal” OT Style: Chayeh Sarah

There are deals. And then there are deals. Abraham- in the Torah Portion Chayeh Sarah- makes a deal. Was it a deal or was it such a deal? On first impression, Abraham’ deal violated the mythic 614th commandment: “Thou shalt not pay retail.” Upon further review, there was much more to the deal. In ChayehContinue reading “The “Art of the Deal” OT Style: Chayeh Sarah”

A Moment of Honor & Gratitude For Dennis Prager?

It’s never good news to hear that a person in their 70s is injured from a fall. Unfortunately, in doing so, Mr. Dennis Prager, Conservative Personality, sustained serious spinal trauma. Beyond the well-wishing for his swift recovery, perhaps it is time for the United States to officially recognize Mr. Prager’s commitment to the country. DennisContinue reading “A Moment of Honor & Gratitude For Dennis Prager?”

Culture Collision: Vayera

And an angel of the Lord called to him from the skies and said, “Abraham! Abraham!” And he said, “I’m here.” And he said, “Don’t put your hand out toward the boy and don’t do anything to him, because now I know that you fear God.” Genesis 22:12 The Torah Portion Vayera’s polemic against childContinue reading “Culture Collision: Vayera”

A Father’s Plan: A Lech Lecha Ten Commandments’ Moment?

The Lech Lecha Torah Portion cannot be read in isolation. Immediately prior to it, the Torah passages provide a contextual dimension to Abraham. These pre-Lech Lecha facts are often not addressed in extra-biblical renditions of the story. They may, however, reveal Lech Lecha’s Ten Commandments’ connection like other Book of Genesis passages. Before “Lech Lecha”,Continue reading “A Father’s Plan: A Lech Lecha Ten Commandments’ Moment?”

A Mensch’s Day Off?

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, offers the universal message of humility. On a day meant for the garden variety sinner, the day of reflection perhaps is strikingly different for the mensch. Who is a Mensch? According to The New Joys of Yiddish, a mensch is a human being; an upright, honorable, decent person; orContinue reading “A Mensch’s Day Off?”

The Most Important Parental Advice? Rosh Hashonah’s First Day Reading

Is there one piece of parental advice that reigns over all others? The answer is emphatically “yes”. This masterful advice emanates from the Book of Genesis. The specific passage is part of the Torah portion read on the first day of the Jewish New Year. In it, the Jewish People’s first Matriarch, Sarah, initiates aContinue reading “The Most Important Parental Advice? Rosh Hashonah’s First Day Reading”