Re’eh’s Ten Commandments’ Moment: Of Monotheism and Monolatry

The Torah Portion Re-eh presents as a rare opportunity to address the top parts of the Ten Commandments. Shortly after this event, the Children of Israel’s covenant with their Israelite God will take a new dimension. They will become a nation. Tied to being this conceived nation is fidelity towards their God. This post exploresContinue reading “Re’eh’s Ten Commandments’ Moment: Of Monotheism and Monolatry”

The Ten Commandments Further Defined

In Law, each and every word matters. Often, traditional dictionary’s definitions do not match legal definitions; sometimes, even Black’s Law Dictionary does not suffice. With each and every word being important for both interpretation and application of any particular law, legislators often will include a section in a particular statute or regulation that specifically definesContinue reading “The Ten Commandments Further Defined”

A Footnote or Addendum? A Book of Isaiah Ten Commandments’ Moment

The Book of Isaiah offers a “by the way…” moment elaborating on the Ten Commandments. When the Ten Commandments were delivered by Moses from Mt. Sinai, the covenant was established with the God who brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt. They accepted that this deity would be their only god and there wouldContinue reading “A Footnote or Addendum? A Book of Isaiah Ten Commandments’ Moment”

Elijah, Israel’s Moses?

If the Hebrew Bible was being crafted as a movie script, half-way through the screen play of the Book of Kings an emergency writers’ meeting would have taken place. “Writers, we have a problem!” The Lead Writer would bemoan that the fledgling spin-off Northern Kingdom- Israel- was lacking. No intriguing characters! No cool locations! NoContinue reading “Elijah, Israel’s Moses?”

A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Samson

Samson’s tale of martyrdom has a few Ten Commandments’ moments. While his beginnings are quite promising, his life devolves into an endless cycle of suffering and vengeance. At the beginning, his barren mother encounters an angel who promises her a special son. She is instructed that the child would be raised as a Nazarite and thatContinue reading “A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Samson”