“Justice, Justice you shall pursue, so that you’ll live, and you’ll take possession of the land that the Lord, your God is giving you” Deuteronomy 16:20 Prior to Deuteronomy’s “justice” pronouncement, a particular family became embroiled in a property rights dispute. The legal decision’s implications were of nationwide interest. The Portion Pinchas describes the legalContinue reading “In Justice: Pinchas”
Tag Archives: law
Emor: The Big Message?
“All Animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” George Orwell In the Torah, death penalties stand out. Seemingly slight offenses, i.e. gathering wood on the Sabbath, Numbers 15:32-36, have been subject to capital punishment. In these instances which include the severe sanction, is Torah actually intending to send a biggerContinue reading “Emor: The Big Message?”
Ten Commandments’ Secularity Best Explained?
Great things often are set in stone. One of them is a Martin Luther King, Jr. quotation. It may best explain the Ten Commandments’ secular value. While recently in San Diego, I came upon it in a park filled with his quotations. “Morals cannot be legislated but behavior can be regulated,” he declared. This quoteContinue reading “Ten Commandments’ Secularity Best Explained?”
The Icing On The Decalogue’s Cake: Shoftim
My wife loves to make up rules. While in scripture the laws often are preceded by “and the Lord spoke to Moses,” for me, the words “from now on…” often initiates a session of marital legislation at most likely an inopportune time. Who makes laws while struck driving on the 405! For me, matrimonial governmentContinue reading “The Icing On The Decalogue’s Cake: Shoftim”
Secular Value of the Ten Commandments: A Civic Lesson
Hating the Ten Commandments? This post is for you. Louisiana’s Ten Commandments’ law has brought out much criticism for the thought of allowing a religious document into public schools. This post makes the case, on a totally non-religious basis, as to why the Ten Commandments has much secular value. In fact, we don’t even needContinue reading “Secular Value of the Ten Commandments: A Civic Lesson”
String Cite Theory
A “String Cite” is a powerful legal writing tool. Briefs and Court Opinions often cite authority. Authority can be reference to anything from a statute, regulation, case cite to a legal treatise. String cites are like an authority on steriods; they often list three or four specific references. The cumulative nature of them suggest aContinue reading “String Cite Theory”
Lost In Translation? “Shall” or “May”
Legalese is full of magical incantation; alchemous word precision can secure financial victory or exact an extended incarceration. With these stakes, Judges and Lawyers use their words wisely. Ambiguity within legalese is the murky moat of despair. As such, translations of legal works can serve as bucketfuls of polluted moat water. Unclear, imprecise and biasedContinue reading “Lost In Translation? “Shall” or “May””
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 in One Letter?
mastery contracts matters. at some point, large quantities of information transform; what was complex becomes simple. rabbi akiva, when challenged to teach the torah with its 613 commandments to someone standing on one foot, instructed the individual “that which is hateful to you, do not do onto your fellow. all the rest is commentary. goContinue reading “The Ten Commandments in One Letter?”
How To Make A Winning Argument, Pinchas
if you are ever sued by the law firm mahlah, noah, hoglah, milcah, and tirzah, watch out! in the pinchas torah portion, this firm won an eternal landmark case before the highest of authorities. the portion pinchas notes that ” the daughters of zelophehad the son of hepher, the son of gilead, the son ofContinue reading “How To Make A Winning Argument, Pinchas”
The Ten Commandments Project 