Can two goats and three High Holiday Torah Portions unlock atonement’s mechanics? In this instance, a Three-of-a-Kind meeting a Two Goat Lottery sheds light. Some of the Hebrew Bible’s most troubling of tales unlocks an atonement tool. Atonement The Hebrew Bible’s focus on truth, justice and righteousness fails to completely address Atonement. Atonement is arguablyContinue reading “Hitting the Goat Lottery? Yom Kippur’s Torah Portion”
Tag Archives: yom kippur
Sabbath Morning Quarterback
On Yom Kippur, I came across an article discussing commandment fulfillment. It addressed how the changing world plays a role. The impetus for these thoughts was the chaotic period of post-World War I. It noted that “[i]n such times, even imperfect mitzvos [commandments] are of relatively great value before God, because they come at suchContinue reading “Sabbath Morning Quarterback”
A Mensch’s Day Off?
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, offers the universal message of humility. On a day meant for the garden variety sinner, the day of reflection perhaps is strikingly different for the mensch. Who is a Mensch? According to The New Joys of Yiddish, a mensch is a human being; an upright, honorable, decent person; orContinue reading “A Mensch’s Day Off?”
The Book of Death
One’s inscription in the Book of Life on Yom Kippur in reality is a cheat. The odds of death directly touching someone’s life in any given year is really not that great. After all, one’s demise is truly a once in a lifetime event. This year, however, personally there is no cheat. Rather, it isContinue reading “The Book of Death”
Was The Final Holiday Sacrifice The Greatest? A Ten Commandments’ Tale
the high holidays are full of tales of child sacrifice and loss. rosh hashonah starts with abraham sending his son ishmael to the desert with only bread and water. abraham is then tasked by god to sacrifice his son isaac. on yom kippur, there is the story of the high priest aaron who is grievedContinue reading “Was The Final Holiday Sacrifice The Greatest? A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Forgiveness On Hold: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
in the oscar winning film, forrest gump, the man denied his destiny of dying on the battlefield confronts a great storm. angry at the world. after losing his legs on the battlefield, he then took to lose his soul in a bottle of alcohol. captain dan climbs to the top of the mast and goesContinue reading “Forgiveness On Hold: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Timing Is Everything: A Yom Kippur Tale
Is this not the fast I will choose? To undo the fetters of wickedness, to untie the bands of perverseness, and to let out the oppressed free, and all perverseness you shall eliminate Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and moaning poor you shall bring home; when you see a nakedContinue reading “Timing Is Everything: A Yom Kippur Tale”
When You Are Orthodox, It’s Not Just A Game: A Ten Commandments’ Project
orthodox jews face tremendous challenges dealing with non-observant world. every friday evening and saturday, they are challenged by their sabbath observance. every time they eat, they are challenged to have kosher food. in the end, there are 613 commandments that have possible interactions or interference with the non-observant world. the non-observant world is not onlyContinue reading “When You Are Orthodox, It’s Not Just A Game: A Ten Commandments’ Project”
The Ten Commandments Project 