moses – The Ten Commandments Project

A Biblical Literacy Moment: The Prophet Defined

Elder pouring oil on kneeling young man's head in a biblical village at sunset

The prophet’s role is revealed in the Torah Portion Shoftim. Moses evokes Mt. Sinai’s fireworks and the Ten Commandments to explain one of the prophet’s essential duties. With this, Moses also introduces a qualifying requirement for the position. To appreciate Moses’ retelling of what transpired at Mt. Sinai, a reading of Exodus’ contemporaneous account isContinue reading “A Biblical Literacy Moment: The Prophet Defined”

Who Is He? Definitions: Eikev: A Ten Commandments’ Moment

Man writing Hebrew characters on a chalkboard in front of a seated crowd outdoors

The Ten Commandments, being a contract, identifies the parties. In the Decalogue, “I am the Lord, your God” is the party of the first part, and the party of the second part are the individuals he brought out from the Land of Egypt. Exodus 20:2 Give this limited description of the part of the firstContinue reading “Who Is He? Definitions: Eikev: A Ten Commandments’ Moment”

The Introduction to The Ten Commandments: Va’etchanan

Moses holding tablets with Hebrew text, addressing a crowd of men, women, and children in a desert setting

Lawmakers often provide a write-up when enacting a new law. These introductions can include anything from a legislative history to an explanation of the bill’s intent. In the Torah Portion Va’etchanan, Moses introduces the Ten Commandments to all of Israel. In doing so, he imparts essential information for grasping the biblical understanding of the Decalogue.Continue reading “The Introduction to The Ten Commandments: Va’etchanan”

Second Law, Second Audience: D’varim

Guest lecturer Dr. Moses presenting on leadership principles from ancient texts to students in a large auditorium

The Book of Deuteronomy begins with the Torah Portion D’varim. In D’varim, Moses begins his final speech on the other side of the Jordan River to all of Israel. Deuteronomy 1:1. The Book of Deuteronomy stands out from the rest of the Pentateuch. Scholars and theologians focus often address Deuteronomy’s significance as either second lawContinue reading “Second Law, Second Audience: D’varim”

Phinehas: The Torah’s Executive MBA Program

Elderly man with flowing white hair blessing kneeling young man in ancient desert camp

It takes a visionary who explores the past, the present, and the future to fill top executive positions. God, in the Torah Portion Phinehas, offers up a Master Class on hiring practices. In the portion, he has the daunting task of replacing both his Prophet- national leader- as well as his High Priest- religious leader.Continue reading “Phinehas: The Torah’s Executive MBA Program”

Chukat: The Pentateuch’s MBA Program

Professor in biblical clothing teaching MBA students about leadership ethics in a lecture hall

The Pentateuch’s Management Master Class includes the Torah Portion Chukat. With God’s post-Exodus Promised Land relocation plan in crisis, the Lord must make a hard pivot. The Portions Chukat- along with Shelach and Korah- document the Deity’s resetting of his fledgling Israelite nation. Across these portions, problematic, stiff-necked and rebellious individuals plague the completion ofContinue reading “Chukat: The Pentateuch’s MBA Program”

The Set Up: Korah

Lawyer speaking in courtroom with witness beside him and judge listening

I can’t stand it, I know you planned it Beastie Boys Moses, in the Torah Portion Korah, offers up a masterclass on the set up. The set up– as a concept- is neither benign or malicious; it is merely a cunning tactic. Often these deceptions occur right before the victim’s eyes; I know; long ago,Continue reading “The Set Up: Korah”

A Biblical Literacy Moment: Behaalotecha: The Making of a Prophet

An older man holding a staff, a priest in colorful robes holding incense, and a young woman with a tambourine stand by a decorated tent with people gathered in the background

And a prophet did not rise again in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face-to-face. Deuteronomy 34:10 Much mystery surrounding Hebrew Bible Prophets. The Torah Portion Behaalotecha uniquely addresses prophesy. In one portion, the Prophets’ divine communication are re-defined; this transformation occurred in the middle of sibling controversy. A Biblical Literacy Moment on ProphesyContinue reading “A Biblical Literacy Moment: Behaalotecha: The Making of a Prophet”

Tazria: Medicine’s Trajectory?

Bronze serpent coiled around a staff on rocky ground with sunset and mountains in background

Before Organized Medicine, the Torah addressed the Healing Arts with a multi-factorial approach. A Pantheon of Professionals, Prophets and Priests collaborated with the Israelite Deity to address national health care concerns. The Torah Portion Tazria focuses on the Priest’s role in medicine. With Tazria, and other Torah Portions, both politics and theology flesh out variousContinue reading “Tazria: Medicine’s Trajectory?”

The Off-the-Books Law

Is it possible to have both a Written and an Oral Law? The answer is yes! While the concept is enigmatic, from a legal standpoint, it makes complete sense. The events in the Torah Portion Yitro reveal that an Israelite legal system existed prior to the Ten Commandments. Beyond that, a body of Oral LawContinue reading “The Off-the-Books Law”