Everybody must get stoned Bob Dylan “An eye for an eye” is perhaps the most misunderstood Torah passage. Its literal interpretation sparks controversy. Often, it is interpreted as endorsing a barbaric means of justice. Mahatma Gandhi- allegedly- savaged the Torah Portion Emor passage with the assertion: “an eye for an eye will make the wholeContinue reading “Emor: All Things Being Equal”
Tag Archives: ten commandments
Kedoshim: Ten Commandments Plus?
What looks like the Ten Commandments, sounds like the Ten Commandments, but isn’t the Ten Commandments? Torah Portion Kedoshim would be a good answer. Kedoshim, however, is more than the Decalogue. Kedoshim- part of Leviticus’ Holiness Code- serves a different purpose. The Torah Portion Kedoshim, while covering most of the Decalogue’s commandments, also contains additionalContinue reading “Kedoshim: Ten Commandments Plus?”
A Secular Ten Commandments’ Takeaway
An archaeological discovery provides ample evidence how the Ten Commandments (Decalogue) promotes secular societal values. An ancient pottery shard rather than the Ten Commandments’ two stone tablets proves this assertion. A writing of either a mere scribe or laborer speaks volumes for the one inscribed by the finger of God. Exodus 31:18. The scribe orContinue reading “A Secular Ten Commandments’ Takeaway”
Acharei: On Representation
“Who represents me?” and “How did they get to represent me?” constituted puzzling political and theological questions for the Children of Israel. The Torah Portion Acharei is an example of Israelite representation’s confusing and circular nature. Acharei‘s priestly representation assignment for atonement marks as a starting point for this Post’s exploration of scripture’s elections, authorizations,Continue reading “Acharei: On Representation”
A Ultimate Passover Insight?
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Declaration of Independence Beyond the Passover Seder’s Four Questions- the Ma Nishtanah, there is another question to be asked: whatContinue reading “A Ultimate Passover Insight?”
Sabbath Meaning? Vayakhel: A Ten Commandments’ Moment
And God saw everything that He made, and … it was very good. Genesis 1:31 Why is taking time off of work in the Torah so important? The Portion Vayakhel explains it in human terms. From Exodus version of the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath refrain from labor was tied to the world’s creation. The rationaleContinue reading “Sabbath Meaning? Vayakhel: A Ten Commandments’ Moment”
In Search of The Ten Commandments
Is it possible that an English translation transformed the Ten Commandments? The answer to these questions suggests that a not so accurate translation significantly impacted theology and contemporary beliefs. To understand how this happened, the initial inquiry is the Hebrew Bible. Before doing so, an understanding of how the Hebrew phrase for the Ten CommandmentsContinue reading “In Search of The Ten Commandments”
The Answer: Mishpatim’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Why are no punishments listed within the Ten Commandments? This often asked Decalogue question is partially answered in the Torah Portion Mishpatim. The answer is two-pronged, one part is complex while the other is simple. The complex part of the answer pertains to the concept of Community vs. Individual Code of Conduct. Since the DecalogueContinue reading “The Answer: Mishpatim’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
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”
A Brief Moment of Biblical Literacy: Beshalach
The Torah’s contemporaneous composition is a misconception. The Torah itself dispels the assumption that the totality of its passages were crafted in temporal proximity to the events. One of these instances is in the Torah Portion Beshalach. A Beshalach passage illustrates a writing style with a pedagogical purpose. The Passage The Beshalach passage at issueContinue reading “A Brief Moment of Biblical Literacy: Beshalach”
The Ten Commandments Project 