How do you describe the Hebrew Bible in one word? Shemini’s Second Torah Reading- instructions concerning the Passover celebration- offers a bread crumb to the answer. The Children of Israel are told: “On the tenth of this month, let them each take a lamb for the fathers’ houses, a lamb per house. And if theContinue reading “Shemini’s Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Entire Bible Summed Up in One Word?”
Tag Archives: faith
A Book of Isaiah Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Ultimate Sacrifice?
“Why do I need your numerous sacrifices?” The Book of Isaiah 1:11 Beyond two tablets with laws set in stone, the Decalogue has external factors. The scheme establishes relationships: God-Human and Human-Human. The Torah provides two unique tracts of administering justice/morality. For God-Human relations, sacrifices were instituted. Some of these sacrifices, i.e. sin or guiltContinue reading “A Book of Isaiah Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Ultimate Sacrifice?”
Elijah, Israel’s Moses?
If the Hebrew Bible was being crafted as a movie script, half-way through the screen play of the Book of Kings an emergency writers’ meeting would have taken place. “Writers, we have a problem!” The Lead Writer would bemoan that the fledgling spin-off Northern Kingdom- Israel- was lacking. No intriguing characters! No cool locations! NoContinue reading “Elijah, Israel’s Moses?”
A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Question Authority?
Questioning authority and choosing correct counsel are critical life skills. To question authority, courage, confidence, bravery and confusion are important traits. The same is with taking counsel. Seeking and receiving advice should not reflexively rubberstamp the suggestions imparted. The First Book of Kings offers an example which is a masterclass in failure. Likewise, it isContinue reading “A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Question Authority?”
A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Payoff
What is the purpose for observing the Ten Commandments? In a poignant moment in Israelite history, the Book of Kings answers. This answer provided is often repeated throughout scripture. Near the end of David’s life, his last reported instructions to Solomon were as follows: “I am going the way of all the earth; be strongContinue reading “A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Payoff”
A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Eli’s Sons
Can violating one of the Ten Commandments wipe out a family’s eternal destiny? The Book of Samuel answers this question. In doing so, the Book of Samuel, in the tale of Eli’s sons, reveals a great insight into the commandments to honor one’s parents. During the time when the Kohen Priest Eli is apprenticing Samuel,Continue reading “A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Eli’s Sons”
A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Hannah
As far as present day impact, Hannah may be the Book of Samuel’s true superstar. While David, who is credited with writing the Psalms, also appears in Samuel, Hannah inspired generations as to devotional prayer. Hannah’s zeal is emulated by worshipers daily around the world as they pray. Beyond her ability to wax out aContinue reading “A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Hannah”
Marking Time By Yitro
There are many ways to date or mark time. With Christianity, the world’s current calendaring is based upon belief. As a result, look at the world with pre-Jesus and post-Jesus periods. With Judaism, time moved forward from “in the beginning” when the Universe. The Torah portion Yitro also dermacates time; there is a pre and post Mt. Sinai. ThisContinue reading “Marking Time By Yitro”
A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Jephthah
Of all the Book of Judges’ gut wrenching episodes. Jephthah’s is one of the most problematic. He is a mighty warrior of valor who has acceptance issues. Judges, in providing his background story, alludes that he most likely carried with him emotional insecurity; The tale unfolds with his estrangement from his father’s family. The story takes off with theContinue reading “A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Jephthah”
Yitro’s Ten Commandments’ (Truman Show) Moment
Years ago, my Brother and I were watching the Superbowl. At Halftime, I suggested that we visit a sick relative who was at the nearby hospital. With everyone pre-occupied with watching the bloated halftime performance of some aging music group, the streets were clear; we made it to his hospital room in record time. When we arrived, heContinue reading “Yitro’s Ten Commandments’ (Truman Show) Moment”
The Ten Commandments Project 