Tag Archives: god

Shemini: A High Standard?

I grew up in an intoxicated world known as Los Angeles. More likely than not, my contemporaries used drugs and alcohol. Junior High School was when the abuse originated. I recall one classmate having a cornucopia of drugs stored a tin which was then housed in her locker. For another, I recall that even hisContinue reading “Shemini: A High Standard?”

Bill & Ted’s Most Excellent Seder

In Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Keanu Reeves’ real co-star was time machine. In the most epic of movies, famous historical figures were taken from the past and transported to San Dimas, California. There, they participated in the most outstanding high school history project ever. Assuming you had a time machine for Passover, which historicalContinue reading “Bill & Ted’s Most Excellent Seder”

Punishment: Vayikra’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Punishments are mysteriously absent from the Ten Commandments. The “shall not’s” are not accompanied by prescribed penalties. The Torah Portion Vayikra, however, begins to address commandment violation punishments. The remedies for sin, per Vayikra, are in the form of animal sacrifice and grain offerings. According to Richard Elliott Friedman, the sacrifice’s purpose was to recognizeContinue reading “Punishment: Vayikra’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

In Simplicity

If “Don’t Steal”, “Respect Each Other”, “Don’t Lie”, “Keep Your Promises” & “Respect Your Parents” were Elementary School Classroom Bulletin Board signs, what would you think?…Random sentiments? A pattern? If the Ten Commandments were posted on that very Elementary School Classroom Bulletin Board, what would you think?…Random sentiments? A pattern? This exercise’s take-away is theContinue reading “In Simplicity”

Pedukei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Geography shapes both politics and religion. The Children of Israel’s wilderness wandering and their Promised Land permanence created a division between religion and politics. This division manifested in Judaism’s portability. The Torah Portion Pedukei addresses aspects of Tabernacle. This central portable structure served as a place for worship and sacrifice during the post Exodus wildernessContinue reading “Pedukei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

The Politics of Breaking Bread: A Second Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment

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”

The Book of Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment

“…one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” The United States’ Pledge of Allegiance What does it mean to be a nation “under God”? In Book of Chronicles, the Israelite Kingdom’s political structure was further defined. In the first book of Chronicles, the nation is abuzz. A Temple in Jerusalem was toContinue reading “The Book of Chronicles’ Ten Commandments’ Moment”

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”