god – The Ten Commandments Project

The Bereshit Haftarah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

A Haftarah is part of the Torah Reading Service. The Haftarah reading- a supplemental reading from non-Torah scripture- is a passage selected because it relates to the Torah Portion that is read. One theory advanced as to why there are Haftarah readings is that they began at a time when public Torah reading was forbidden;Continue reading “The Bereshit Haftarah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Next Level Common Knowledge: Sukkoth

Two men conversing beside fruit and pottery in an ancient desert marketplace

Steven Pinker examines Common Knowledge in his work: When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows…: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life (2025, Scribner.) Dr. Pinker’s Common Knowledge is a term meant to describe human interactions and the knowledge of the individuals interacting. The Sukkoth Holiday- the Festival of Booths- Torah PortionContinue reading “Next Level Common Knowledge: Sukkoth”

Bereshit: The Origin of Evil?

The same anime-style snake reading the Book of Genesis, with all human hands completely removed. Preserve the snake, book, pose, setting, composition, colors, and anime aesthetic. Fill the areas where the hands were with natural, coherent background and body details. No hands, arms, or human limbs visible.

Does the Torah Portion Bereshit explain evil’s origin? The creation narrative certainly offers clues. The results, for some, may be surprising. In the Beginning There Were Grades In Genesis Chapter 1, God grades his creations. Land and sea: good. Genesis 1:10. Plants and vegetation: good: Genesis 1:12. Night and day: good: Genesis 1:18. Sea animals,Continue reading “Bereshit: The Origin of Evil?”

V’zot Haberachah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

An anime-style illustration of Moses blessing the Levites. Moses is depicted as a wise, elderly man with long white hair and beard, wearing flowing robes, his hands raised in blessing. The Levites kneel or stand before him in reverence, dressed in ancient Hebrew priestly garments. The scene has dramatic anime lighting with glowing divine light emanating from Moses, detailed expressive faces, and a celestial background with clouds and golden rays. Art style similar to epic anime like Demon Slayer or Attack on Titan.

Before the Torah’s finale, Moses charged parents to educate their children. In the Torah’s final portion, V’zot Haberachah, Moses charges the Levites to educate the Israelite nation. In Moses’ blessing to the tribe, he assigns them a special assignment. Forever more, the Levites were tasked to provide covenantal education to the nation. This tasking raisesContinue reading “V’zot Haberachah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Institutionalized Randomness: The Goat, A Yom Kippur Thought

Two goats walking through an ancient desert settlement beneath a large temple

Who will live, and Who will die Yom Kippur’s Torah Portion is the goat on randomness. What should we take away from the universe filled with uncertainty? Yom Kippur- the Day of Atonement- is a moment in which life’s uncertainty is brought to the forefront. It is done with the reading of one of theContinue reading “Institutionalized Randomness: The Goat, A Yom Kippur Thought”

The Big Picture

Artist painting a colorful mural with people, mountains, river, city, and Hebrew lettering

How does the Decalogue serve as a Community Code of Conduct? Abraham Joshua Heschel answered this question in his seminal work The Prophets. In addressing Hebrew Bible Prophets’ role, he explains the Community Code of Conduct’s nature. His words also bring to light a modern problem. Societal concerns have become distorted and contorted. The EndContinue reading “The Big Picture”

Ha’Azinu’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Mother and child reading “The Starry Moon and the Whispering Woods”

These go to eleven Nigel Tufnel Moses, in the Ha’Azinu Torah Portion, lectures to the Children of Israel their covenantal responsibilities. In his speech, Moses raises parental responsibilities of the requirement to teach their progeny the commandments. While the Decalogue served as a Community Code of Conduct, the Commandments did not fully lay out theContinue reading “Ha’Azinu’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Who’s Testing Who? The Akedah

Nervous man taking an exam in a crowded classroom

Who’s actually being tested with the Akedah? Rosh Hashanah’s Second Day Torah Portion feature the famous Binding of Isaac. With its holiday reading, Abraham is not tested for his near sacrifice of his son Isaac. His test was a few thousands of years ago on Mt. Moriah. Rather, those presently reading, listening, and discussing theContinue reading “Who’s Testing Who? The Akedah”

Well, Well, Well: A Rosh Hashanah Tale

Bearded elder addressing families among tents, sheep, and campfires in a desert valley

During the holiday season, sometimes we have to be the “bigger” person. Being largesse is often necessary during the High Holiday season. Rosh Hashanah- the New Year- and Yom Kippur- the Day of Atonement- often come with close encounters of the uncomfortable kind. This especially happens on neutral grounds; synagogues and places of worship. Frankly,Continue reading “Well, Well, Well: A Rosh Hashanah Tale”

Letting Go: Vayelech

Two children sit beneath an apple tree with a coiled snake and glowing apples.

Like Moses, parents know. Their best efforts in instilling values often become futile. Both rebellion and peer pressure eradicate their influence. In the end, parents are left wondering whether they made a difference? Did their Jeanie leave the bottle altogether or is there some redemption in store down the road? In the Torah Portion Vayelech,Continue reading “Letting Go: Vayelech”