Death’s Sanctity: Chayeh Sarah

And after that Abraham buried Sarah Genesis 23:19 The Torah holds one’s passing sacred. The Portion Chayeh Sarah unleashes life lessons surrounding death’s sanctity that continue throughout the Pentateuch. With one’s passing, there is the inevitable gathering of individuals. Some harboring long-standing consternation towards fellow funeral attendees. When Venn Diagramming life activities with the DecalogueContinue reading “Death’s Sanctity: Chayeh Sarah”

A Father’s Plan: A Lech Lecha Ten Commandments’ Moment?

The Lech Lecha Torah Portion cannot be read in isolation. Immediately prior to it, the Torah passages provide a contextual dimension to Abraham. These pre-Lech Lecha facts are often not addressed in extra-biblical renditions of the story. They may, however, reveal Lech Lecha’s Ten Commandments’ connection like other Book of Genesis passages. Before “Lech Lecha”,Continue reading “A Father’s Plan: A Lech Lecha Ten Commandments’ Moment?”

What’s In A Name? Bamidbar

The Torah Portion Bamidbar, while describing a head count, goes no to list a large number of individual’s names. Biblical names were defining; names, as we learn from the Torah, have currency. The best example of a defining name comes from Moses’ Burning Bush encounter. Moses queries God as to what name he should provideContinue reading “What’s In A Name? Bamidbar”

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 Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Micah’s Graven Image Part I

While reading the Book of Judges, one will pull their hair out. The scripture’s outrageousness never disappoints. Even one brief passage is sufficient to make one go bald. Micah’s Graven Image Tale is an overflowing fountain of meshugas. Micah and his mother are barely digestible in one sitting.  Accordingly, Micah’s tales are the subject of two posts.Continue reading “A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Micah’s Graven Image Part I”

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”

A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Succession

The Book of Judges is not for the faint hearted. While Gideon’s leadership as a Judge sparked a thirst for Israelite monarchical rule, his post-mortem was sobering to that national ambition.   Succession, in antiquity, was heavily nepotism. Gideon, not be outshined by the Elon Musk’s or Nick Cannon’s of the world, amassed seventy sons and hadContinue reading “A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Succession”

Honor-Your Mother! Part 1

On the eighth day, God created irony Imagine naming your daughter Honor only to have her being full of disrespect. It may have happened. In an interview, Hollywood Actress and Entrepreneur Jessica Alba outed her alleged insolent daughter named Honor. This family relations topic, however, was served up as part of a magazine promotion. Thus, we shallContinue reading “Honor-Your Mother! Part 1”

Vayechi’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

If the Torah was psychologically analyzed, an abundance of obsessive compulsiveness would be found. Is there a reason for this pathology to be present? Are there positive that can arise from such behavior? Can ocd acts serve a visionary or prophetic role? Answers to these questions revolve around one of Vayechi’s Ten Commandments’ moments. With Jacob’s passing, his sonsContinue reading “Vayechi’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Vayishlach’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

with my mother being a hebrew school teacher, bible story books were a household fixture. with her sometimes working as a substitute, our bookshelf was filled with text books for all ages and grades. most repeated the same stories with varying levels of english and artwork. my entertainment time often was spent eitehr watching tvContinue reading “Vayishlach’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”