In The Beginning, There Was Separation: Breisheit’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Most recently, the “work ethic” value is on life support. Societal figures along with their social policy agenda are standing at the bedside in the ICU of the long held belief. There appears to be some excitement to finally pull the plug on this ancient core value. The signs of the decline is evidenced byContinue reading “In The Beginning, There Was Separation: Breisheit’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

A Very Ten Commandments’ Moment: This Sukkot’s Saturday Torah Portion

An epic Ten Commandments’ moment occurred in last Saturday’s Sukkot Torah Portion reading. While the entire Portion is an essential scriptural read (Exodus 33:12-34:26), there is one revealing Decalogue-related passage. Words Alone? Is the Ten Commandments just simply about the words? Or, is there something about the commandments that is beyond the words? The SukkotContinue reading “A Very Ten Commandments’ Moment: This Sukkot’s Saturday Torah Portion”

Sabbath Morning Quarterback

On Yom Kippur, I came across an article discussing commandment fulfillment. It addressed how the changing world plays a role. The impetus for these thoughts was the chaotic period of post-World War I. It noted that “[i]n such times, even imperfect mitzvos [commandments] are of relatively great value before God, because they come at suchContinue reading “Sabbath Morning Quarterback”

The Scriptural Root of Zionism: The New Year’s Second Day Haftarah

Arise, Let us ascend to Zion Jeremiah 31:5 Operation Solomon-a mass migration event- made history in 1991. Approximately 2400 years before this event, the Prophet Jeremiah recorded prophetic words which became part of the Hebrew Bible. Are these distant temporal events connected? Can an ancient Prophet be intimately tied to the 20th Century Beta IsraelContinue reading “The Scriptural Root of Zionism: The New Year’s Second Day Haftarah”

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”

The Societal Literacy Project: Vayelech

Societal literacy? Is it possible to instill a nation’s rules, morals and values upon all residents? Why do it? The Torah Portion Vayelech offers insight into the how and why? The Setting Vayelech’s events occur while the Children of Israel camped out on the other side of the Jordan River. They are awaiting entry intoContinue reading “The Societal Literacy Project: Vayelech”

A Success Story: Ki Tavo

To get a good job, with a great starting salary Dean Van Horne, Accepted As the Pentateuch’s calendar year reading rapidly nears completion, the Torah Portion Ki Tavo answers an essential Ten Commandments’ question. While the Portion Ki Tavo is packed with a rich multitude of Decalogue topics, one passage answers a query which isContinue reading “A Success Story: Ki Tavo”

Of O.T. Marriage : Va’Etchanan

I, Your Lord, your God, am a jealous God Exodus 20:5 You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might Deuteronomy 6:5 Is marriage exclusive to humans? Or, is the institution beyond mere mortals? An interpretation of a single sentence from the TorahContinue reading “Of O.T. Marriage : Va’Etchanan”

Superman & The Ten Commandments

Truth, Justice & The American Way Mottos can brilliantly reduce complex matters into a simple phrase. With just a few words, a great motto captures the essence of a person, a place, or a thing. Mottos are ubiquitous. Around Los Angeles, “to Protect and to Serve” is emblazoned upon police vehicles. Once upon a timeContinue reading “Superman & The Ten Commandments”

The Power of the Word- Matot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

You think that I don’t even mean a single word I say, it’s only words and words are all I have Bee Gees Words are not equal. In the world of scripture, it is even possible to assert the word “equal” is not equal to itself! In antiquity, perhaps due to the combination literacy rate,Continue reading “The Power of the Word- Matot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”