Torah Reading Services include a supplemental scriptural read called the Haftarah. This canonized Extra-Pentateuchal reading was selected as it bared some relationship to the particular weekly or holiday Torah Portion. By Extra-Pentaeuchal, it means that the reading comes from other parts of the Hebrew Bible- either Prophets or Writings. Preliminary Notes With this being thisContinue reading “The Perfect Swear? Vayechi’s Haftarah Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Tag Archives: israel
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?”
A Review & Critique of “On Democracies and Death Cults”
When Pro-Hamas Protestors invade college libraries, it would behoove these Cos-Players to pick up Douglas Murray’s latest book On Democracies and Death Cults. Likewise, those diligent students should pick up the book as well. After acing their exams, they would benefit from reading this author’s latest offering. Mr. Murray is someone that budding journalists shouldContinue reading “A Review & Critique of “On Democracies and Death Cults””
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 Root of Zionism: Vayelech
If one sought out Zionism’s origins, they would be dismissive not to consider the Hebrew Bible as the authoritative source. Further scoping in on the topic, one would turn to the Torah and go to the Torah Portion Vayelech. There, they would discover how the Pentateuch explains how Zionism is a feature of Judaism. ForContinue reading “The Root of Zionism: Vayelech”
A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Universal God?
The Kohanim brought the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord to its place, to the inner sanctum of the Temple, to the Holy of Holies. 1 Kings 8:6 Upon the Temple of the Lord’s completion, King Solomon addressed the God of Israel’s universality. In 1 Kings 8:41-43, Solomon pronounced “Also a gentile who isContinue reading “A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Universal God?”
A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Vows To Make & Vows To Break
Post-Pentatuch, Scripture must be scrutinized over its treatment the Ten Commandments. This treatment should consider both the reported periods of biblical history as well the period of the text’s composition. In both periods, there was an understanding of Ten Commandments. During various periods of time, it should be appreciated that meanings and applications possibly varied.Continue reading “A Book of Kings Ten Commandments’ Moment: Vows To Make & Vows To Break”
… 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”
Fear & Loathing In Egypt? Yayigash
“do not be afraid of going down to egypt” god the almighty, in genesis 46:1-4, bewilders. joseph, now pharoah’s second- in-charge, invites his family to settle in egypt. in canaan, the revelation of joseph’s well-being uplifts his father jacob’s spirit. with the good news, jacob announces: “let me go see him [joseph] before i die.” genesis 45:28. as readers,Continue reading “Fear & Loathing In Egypt? Yayigash”
Who Do You Think You Are?
my brother and i got into a fight and stopped talking. while i have no recollection as to what started the conflict, i remember its end; my brother asked “who do you think you are?” i confessed to him that i was a horrible person. he was disarmed. he believed that my offending actions wereContinue reading “Who Do You Think You Are?”
The Ten Commandments Project 