vayeshev in the “adult” version of the torah offers a mature ten commandments’ moment. while an unfitting tale for a young scholars’ bible story books, the lesson concerning the truth is not. truth telling is not as easy as one thinks; the truth, also, does not always set one free. acknowledging the truth can beContinue reading “The Truth In Context? A Ten Commandments’ Moment in Vayeshev”
Tag Archives: ten commandments
The Ten Commandments & Apocryphal Texts: The Book Of Jubilees
in some ancient circles, the apocryphal book of jubilees was popular. in qumran, the sect famous for the dead sea scrolls, fifteen copies of jubilees were found. the book of jubilees is believed to have been authored prior to the early first century bce. jewish annotated apocrypha. while excluded from the hebrew bible, the textContinue reading “The Ten Commandments & Apocryphal Texts: The Book Of Jubilees”
The Exodus In Genesis? Vayishlach; A Ten Commandments’ Tale
in comparing apples to oranges, lawyers employ the “straight face” test. if you can argue a point with a straight face, you go for it! when successful lawyers employ their mental swiss army knife of arguments, even the toothpick must be able to draw blood! the torah portion vaysishlach’s events offer fruitful comparisons to bothContinue reading “The Exodus In Genesis? Vayishlach; A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Vayishlach’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
with my mother being a hebrew school teacher, bible story books were a household fixture. with her sometimes working as a substitute, our bookshelf was filled with text books for all ages and grades. most repeated the same stories with varying levels of english and artwork. my entertainment time often was spent eitehr watching tvContinue reading “Vayishlach’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Vayetze’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
the torah states that after the birth of leah’s four sons “rachel saw that she had not given birth for jacob, and rachel was jealous of her sister, and she said to jacob, ‘give me children. and if not i’m dying!’” genesis 30:1. in response, “jacob’s anger flared at rachel, and he said, ‘am iContinue reading “Vayetze’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
the ten commandments didn’t drop down from mt. sinai as a totally unique set of laws. other ancient societies possessed value systems. the torah portion toldot offers a moment of shared societal values. toldot also sheds light on two puzzling passages in genesis. prior to the portion toldot, abraham and sarah-while in egypt- represented themselvesContinue reading “Toldot’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Jewish Apocrypha & The Ten Commandments: The Book of Judith
scholars date the book of judith’s authorship to approximately 100 bce. the jewish annotated apocrypha, new revised standard edition. despite judith being fictional and excluded from the bible, the text, however, may provide insight into the ten commandments’ reception during this particular period at which the macabees ruled and the temple in jerusalem was operational.Continue reading “The Jewish Apocrypha & The Ten Commandments: The Book of Judith”
Chayeh Sarah, A Ten Commandments’ Teaching Moment
You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain, for the Lord will not hold blameless anyone who takes His name in vain. exodus 20:7 the prohibition of using god’s name in vain is one of the most puzzling of the ten commandments. the torah portion chayeh sarah, however, may assistContinue reading “Chayeh Sarah, A Ten Commandments’ Teaching Moment”
A Ten Commandments’ Hero?
unwillingness to accept ignorance is a horrible human trait. we should all be able to accept the fact that we are not all knowing. the world contains much enlightening information that could either prove us wrong or supplement our understanding. as such, we need courage to either open up our smart phones and “google” toContinue reading “A Ten Commandments’ Hero?”
The City of Babel? The Torah Portion Noah
the city? yes, the city. while the “tower of babel” story is referred to as the “tower of babel”, the torah portion also references the “city of babel”. why is the “city of babel” also included? the reason is that cities play a unique role in the torah. in the “city and tower of babel”Continue reading “The City of Babel? The Torah Portion Noah”
The Ten Commandments Project 