What is the most important skill one learn from the Hebrew Bible? One answer is the ability to interpret. By interpret, I do not mean the act of translation. Rather, interpretation is the act of engaging with words to extract meaning. In doing so, perhaps an individual can obtain a better understanding the author’s words.Continue reading “A Matter of Interpretation? Simchat Torah’s Torah Portion’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Tag Archives: interpretation
Thou Shalt Not Be A Pig? Ki Tezieh
But if you try sometime, you’ll find that you get what you need Rolling Stones A two-sentence kerfuffle! Oh my! A particularly short Ki Tezieh Torah Portion passage presents with mind-bending complexity. While these two sentences yield a multitude of interpretations, the text contains a kernel that yields an undisputable consensus opinion: “Don’t be aContinue reading “Thou Shalt Not Be A Pig? Ki Tezieh”
A Ten Commandments’ Moment From Vayakhel: Sabbath Rules
The Torah Portion Vayakhel begins with the following: “and Moses assembled all of the congregation of the Children of Israel and said to them, “These are the things that the Lord commanded to do them: Six days work shall be done, and in the seventh day you shall have a holy thing, a Sabbath, aContinue reading “A Ten Commandments’ Moment From Vayakhel: Sabbath Rules”
The Ten Commandments & The Book of Joshua
The Book of Torah shall not depart from your mouth; rather you should contemplate it day and night in order that you observe to do according to all that is written in it God The Hebrew Bible’s first book, post-Torah, is The Book of Joshua. While the text is most well-known for the conquest ofContinue reading “The Ten Commandments & The Book of Joshua”
Should God’s Understanding Matter With Torah Interpretation?
professor richard elliott friedman, in his commentary on the torah, pages 180-181, as well as in his book the exodus and in his lectures, tackles the famous passage of describing moses as being “heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue”. this passage- part of the exchange between the master of the universe and moses duringContinue reading “Should God’s Understanding Matter With Torah Interpretation?”
A Matter of Interpretation: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
while we all cannot devote ourselves to scholars, we need to sharpen our skills as to the means and tactics used by those offering expert opinion. after three decades of interrogating experts, i have observed many times when experts go astray. recently, i witnessed an interview of a scientist who became angry and emotional atContinue reading “A Matter of Interpretation: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Moses The Seeker? A Ten Commandments’ Tale
the torah is taught to children through story books. these stories often are not the word for word depictions of the torah. rather, they are an interpretation. they are edited with respect to adult topics, i.e. lot’s offering of his daughter to the city’s residents in lieu of the strangers, and include non-textual sources. storiesContinue reading “Moses The Seeker? A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Want To Know About Yourself? Your Opinion On The Story of Abraham & The Binding of Isaac Is Telling: A Ten Commandments’ Story
abraham’s attempted sacrifice of his son isaac at the god’s request is one of the most morally controversial stories in genesis. god instructs abraham to take and sacrifice his son isaac. this was the same son upon which god had already indicated would continue abraham’s legacy. the torah section, in hebrew is referred to theContinue reading “Want To Know About Yourself? Your Opinion On The Story of Abraham & The Binding of Isaac Is Telling: A Ten Commandments’ Story”
The Ten Commandments Project 