The Second Book of Samuel details King David reign as Israel’s king. Prior to his monarchy, Samuel had conceded to the Israelites’ demand for a king. With this, Saul was made king. With this governance change from tribal confederation to monarchy, Samuel laid out the terms and costs. As the Saul’s monarchy failed the Lord’sContinue reading “A Second Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Another Ten Commandments Re-Boot?”
Tag Archives: torah
In Every Generation A Light: Tetzaveh
“… you shall command the Children of Israel that they shall bring clear pressed olive oil to you for the light, to keep up a lamp always.” Exodus 27:20. The lighting of this lamp was “an eternal law through their generations from the Children of Israel.” Exodus 27. When leaving our houses, to save energy,Continue reading “In Every Generation A Light: Tetzaveh”
A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Eli’s Sons
Can violating one of the Ten Commandments wipe out a family’s eternal destiny? The Book of Samuel answers this question. In doing so, the Book of Samuel, in the tale of Eli’s sons, reveals a great insight into the commandments to honor one’s parents. During the time when the Kohen Priest Eli is apprenticing Samuel,Continue reading “A Book of Samuel Ten Commandments’ Moment: Eli’s Sons”
A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Civil War
The Book of Judges’ disturbing conclusion is the tale of Levite Traveler and his Concubine Wife. In the story, an older man from Gilbeah took the Levite and his wife in for the night as an act of hospitality. The town was Benjamite. Judges 19. There, “the people of the city, lawless people, surrounded the house, bangingContinue reading “A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Civil War”
Teruma’s Ten Commandments’ Moment : InTent
The Torah Portion Teruma bolsters the Exodus’ historicity. Teruma explicitly details construction matters for the Mishkan aka Tabernacle. The Tabernacle’s discuss is part of Richard Elliott Friedman’s argument that an Exodus did occur. Scholars have connected the Tabernacle’s design to another structure from antiquity. The Mishkan’s design bears similarity to Pharoah Ramses II’s War Tent that wasContinue reading “Teruma’s Ten Commandments’ Moment : InTent”
A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Micah Part II
With Part I of Micah’s saga, thanks to his mother, he came to possess a graven image of the Lord. Judges’ Chapter 17, continues Micah’s tale. Micah was reported to have a house of idolatry. There, he made ephods [religious garments] and icons. He even installed one of his sons to be his priest. [note: Micah, in Judges, wasContinue reading “A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Micah Part II”
A Ten Commandments’ Moment From Mishpatim: God As My Witness?
As a practicing lawyer for over 33 years, I have spent decades litigating newly enacted legislation. No matter how well-crafted or conceived, laws always contain ambiguity. After the provision of the Ten Commandments in the Yitro, the Torah Portion Mishpatim follows with the announcement of seminal laws shaping Judaism. One of the most notable from Mishpatim is theContinue reading “A Ten Commandments’ Moment From Mishpatim: God As My Witness?”
Marking Time By Yitro
There are many ways to date or mark time. With Christianity, the world’s current calendaring is based upon belief. As a result, look at the world with pre-Jesus and post-Jesus periods. With Judaism, time moved forward from “in the beginning” when the Universe. The Torah portion Yitro also dermacates time; there is a pre and post Mt. Sinai. ThisContinue reading “Marking Time By Yitro”
A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Jephthah
Of all the Book of Judges’ gut wrenching episodes. Jephthah’s is one of the most problematic. He is a mighty warrior of valor who has acceptance issues. Judges, in providing his background story, alludes that he most likely carried with him emotional insecurity; The tale unfolds with his estrangement from his father’s family. The story takes off with theContinue reading “A Book of Judges Ten Commandments’ Moment: Jephthah”
Yitro’s Ten Commandments’ (Truman Show) Moment
Years ago, my Brother and I were watching the Superbowl. At Halftime, I suggested that we visit a sick relative who was at the nearby hospital. With everyone pre-occupied with watching the bloated halftime performance of some aging music group, the streets were clear; we made it to his hospital room in record time. When we arrived, heContinue reading “Yitro’s Ten Commandments’ (Truman Show) Moment”
The Ten Commandments Project 