All that is gold does not glitter JRR Tolkien Years ago, a good friend invited me to a Hollywood Bowl concert. His box seats were close to the orchestra pit. Before Bowl peformances, it customary for box holders to picnicofteny bring out their fancy baskets and indulge in every imaginable delicacy and imbibe with fineContinue reading “Lasting Impressions: Eikev”
Tag Archives: history
Behar-Bechukotai: The Good Life?
Why do people advocate the Ten Commandments to solve societal woes? A passage from the Torah Portion Behar-Bechukotai explains. “And you shall do my laws and observe my judgments and do them, so you will live on the land in security.” Leviticus 25:18. It is about having a good life. Decalogue compliance arguably includes theContinue reading “Behar-Bechukotai: The Good Life?”
The Secular Educational Value of The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments’ utility in secular educational is extensive. A discussion of the Decalogue’s historical value could constitute a semester’s long political science class. The Ten Commandments is one of the essential documents which has advanced both political philosophy and law. Understand modern governance would be replete without touching upon it. Prior to the TenContinue reading “The Secular Educational Value of The Ten Commandments”
The Bible As A Reference
President Jimmy Carter’s State Funeral was not without controversy. While most of the country’s luminaries attended, there was one notable absence. Former First Lady First Lady Michelle Obama chose to not be present. Her decision prompted debate. Some pointed towards the historical precedence for guidance. For the Bible literate, the Torah offers direction. In fact,Continue reading “The Bible As A Reference”
Who Actually Wrote the Bible? Questions and Answers From Prof. William M. Schniedewind
For Hebrew Bible lovers, Richard Elliott Friedman’s Who Wrote The Bible and Jacob Wright’s Why the Bible Began: An Alternative History of Scripture and Its Origins are popular reads. While both scholars- in both text and interviews- speak of scribes’ role in the Bible’s development, they do not elaborate too much on these mostly unknownContinue reading “Who Actually Wrote the Bible? Questions and Answers From Prof. William M. Schniedewind”
… to the Sea
literary history may label “the second book of maccabees” as the worst book title ever. the book is not the “second” book of maccabees; the text is anything but a continuation of the tale of the hasmonean dynasty. even worse, the book admittedly is not an original text. second maccabees consists of two letters and along with aContinue reading “… to the Sea”
Thoughts on History & Memory
winston churchill said that “those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” to this, one must ask “what is history?” author yosef hayim yerushalmi’s zahhor, jewish history & jewish memory tackles the challenges to history writing. given history’s value, the writings must be instructive. contemporary jewish history is also viewed withinContinue reading “Thoughts on History & Memory”
History Is Timeless: A Ten Commandment’s Tale
clients ask me what will be the outcomes of their litigation. with that query, i take out my crystal ball and tell them them of their future. my crystal ball, however, is not an object. rather, it is a mental assessment of the past, the present and an understanding of the individual as well asContinue reading “History Is Timeless: A Ten Commandment’s Tale”
Low Information Fail? A Ten Commandments’ Tale
beyond scripture, certain historical events provide guidance to children. certain tales from history offer life lessons. this historical knowledge is not scholarly. “low information” understanding can suffice. most individuals operate in “low information” mode. thus, they are able to grasp these important concepts. i spoke to one of my vendors concerning the “crypto” collapse courtesyContinue reading “Low Information Fail? A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
The Ten Commandments Project 