If God didn’t exist, he would have been invented Voltaire God is perhaps the Ten Commandments’ most controversial subject. Poetry from the Torah Portion Ha’Azinu provides Prophetic insight into the divine being. Moses’ depictions provide much understanding of the Israelite Deity. Moses’ lifetime observations takes readers to the heights of Mt. Sinai to unlock theContinue reading “Ha’ Azinu’s Ten Commandments’ Moment: God”
Tag Archives: torah
Peak Justice or Cognitive Disaster? Vayelech
Ignorance of the law is no excuse While a Torah Portion Vayelech Commandment is symbolically magnificent, in modernity it presents as a pedagogical disaster. The utopian directive, on paper, delivers knowledge of the law to the entire populace. From a cognitive science perspective, however, the commandment is a failure. Can this problematic teaching methodology explainContinue reading “Peak Justice or Cognitive Disaster? Vayelech”
The Rosh Hashonah Torah Portion’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Get up. Carry the boy and hold him in your hand, because I shall make him a big nation. Genesis 21: 23 The Rosh Hashonah Torah Portion tackles both matters of faith and covenant. Abraham, in the portion, is embroiled in a familial crisis. He must deal with competing maternal interests. Sarah, his wife, isContinue reading “The Rosh Hashonah Torah Portion’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Nitzavim: Of Rabbit Holes & Rashi: A Ten Commandments’ Moment
The Torah Portion Nitzavim starts with a beautiful passage advancing the Ten Commandments’ collective nature. This post explores whether the collective theme’s passage contains a hidden message. The Nitzavim passage is as follows: “You’re standing today, all of you, in front of the Lord, your God- your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers,Continue reading “Nitzavim: Of Rabbit Holes & Rashi: A Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Chosen People? Ki Tavo’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
“The Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for it is not you whom they have rejected, but it is Me whom they have rejected from reigning over them….. So are they doing to you, as well. And now, heed their voice, but beContinue reading “The Chosen People? Ki Tavo’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
Are All Commandments Equal?: Va’etchanan
The Torah houses the Decalogue. Thus, within the Pentateuch’s 613 Commandments, the Ten Commandments is a subset. The Decalogue’s location gives rise to an Orwellian query: “Are some Commandments more equal than others?” According to the Torah Portion Va’etchanan, the answer is “yes”. The Ten Commandments are different from the others. Moses explain why inContinue reading “Are All Commandments Equal?: Va’etchanan”
The Genesis of Problem Solving Part II
Spectacular problem solving led to the JPL’s Mars Rovers’ success. The Mission Designers and Planners exceeded expectations by considering every single contingency imaginable. As a result, some of these Red Planet space exploration devices continued providing data long past their anticipated expiration dates. The JPL staff truly deserved an award for outstanding achievement in theContinue reading “The Genesis of Problem Solving Part II”
Matot-Massei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Due to Judaism’s Lunar Calendar, the fifty-four Torah Portions get adjusted so all can be read annually. This year, to accomplish this, the Portions Matot and Massei are combined. Matot’s Ten Commandments’ moment involving vows and oaths is this Post’s topic. Vows Vows are essentially one’s word. What is the value of “one’s word”? ToContinue reading “Matot-Massei’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
In Justice: Pinchas
“Justice, Justice you shall pursue, so that you’ll live, and you’ll take possession of the land that the Lord, your God is giving you” Deuteronomy 16:20 Prior to Deuteronomy’s “justice” pronouncement, a particular family became embroiled in a property rights dispute. The legal decision’s implications were of nationwide interest. The Portion Pinchas describes the legalContinue reading “In Justice: Pinchas”
Balak’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
You shall not bring up the name of the Lord, your God, for a falsehood, because the Lord will not make one innocent who will bring up His name for a falsehood. Exodus 20:7 The Torah Portion Balak has this assertion: “Because I know that whoever you’ll bless will be blessed, and whoever you’ll curseContinue reading “Balak’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Ten Commandments Project 