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”
Tag Archives: faith
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”
Intelligent Design? Terumah
“According to everything that I show you: the design of the Tabernacle and the design of all of its equipment”
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?”
The Ten Commandments Project 