A Book of Joshua Ten Commandments’ Moment: The City of Jericho Controversy

Karate Men Bruise on the Inside So That They Don’t Show Their Weakness Eddie Murphy, Trading Places While Jericho’s walls falling down is a spectacular Book of Joshua moment, the timing of the City’s taking gives rise to a Ten Commandments’ controversy.  The Master of the Universe says to Joshua: “See, I have delivered intoContinue reading “A Book of Joshua Ten Commandments’ Moment: The City of Jericho Controversy”

A Book of Joshua Ten Commandments’ Moment: Rahab & The Spies

The tale of Rahab & the Spies is one of the Book of Joshua’s Ten Commandments’ moment. The event offers readers insight as to how the Children of Israel addressed the Decalogue during the period of their conquest of the Promised Land. Rahab & the Spies addresses the commandment concerning the prohibition of using the Lord’sContinue reading “A Book of Joshua Ten Commandments’ Moment: Rahab & The Spies”

A Book of Joshua Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Gibeonites

With the Torah’s completion and all 613 Commandments in writing, the Children of Israel’s tale- post-Pentateuch- continues. As Joshua leads them through the conquest of the Promised Land, he is also confronted with issues of commandment adherence, interpretation. This post addresses the Gibeonite crisis.  Fearful of the Children of Israel and what they had done toContinue reading “A Book of Joshua Ten Commandments’ Moment: The Gibeonites”

A Book of Joshua Ten Commandments’ Moment: Achan

With the Torah complete, the Children of Israel, through Joshua’s leadership, begin their conquest of the Promised Land. Beyond territorial acquisition, governance is required which involves the adherence to the Torah’s commandments. The Book of Joshua tackles the complexities of implementing Mosiac Law during unsettled times. This post concerns Achan’s theft. There is much going onContinue reading “A Book of Joshua Ten Commandments’ Moment: Achan”

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?”

The Truth In Context? A Ten Commandments’ Moment in Vayeshev

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”

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”