[Little do readers of the Hebrew Scriptures realize that on top of communication from the Revelator on Sinai regarding teachings and instructions for mankind, we would learn about earthly time and seasons, regional flora and fauna, differences between raven and dove, things that biblical figures like Noah would automatically know but that we would most […]
[Little do readers of the Hebrew Scriptures realize that on top of communication from the Revelator on Sinai regarding teachings and instructions for mankind, we would learn about earthly time and seasons, regional flora and fauna, differences between raven and dove, things that biblical figures like Noah would automatically know but that we would most […]
Read more[In this sixth millennium when the world has witnessed and experienced tidal waves, tsunamis and sea surge “of biblical flood proportions” the releasing of water from the heavens as well as from the deep is no longer inconceivable. Blow by blow accounts presented by international media on television screens and cellphone videos taken by survivors […]
Read more[A child’s exposure to bible stories surely includes the account of Noah and the Ark. It is so easy to visualize, what with the ark’s design and best of all, the parade of animals boarding the vessel. We wonder how they would all fit in, what they would eat for 40 days and nights, the […]
Read more[The first verse that caught our attention in this chapter is the one about Seth being in the image of Adam. Sorry to keep referring back to what we used to teach as Christians, this is our way of correcting former mistakes. We would say without thinking: ‘Adam was made in the image of […]
Read more[If there is a chapter so controversial that it requires rereading, restudying and reinterpretation—this would be it! It is interesting to read—for a change—the comments of Jewish sages featured in our valuable resource book P&H/Pentateuch and Haftarahs, ed. Dr. J.H. Hertz; they know their Hebrew terms and the original text; they correct or give alternatives […]
Read more[With 3 commentaries being interspersed in these texts, readers benefit but might get confused. Our own notes are indicated by “S6K” and “EF” stands for Everett Fox, from his translation/commentary The Five Books of Moses; “RA” for Robert Alter, The Five Books of Moses. We have separated the commentary from Pentateuch and Haftorahs in another post. Please be guided […]
Read more[What does it matter where the ‘remains’ of the earthly part of man ultimately rests? Bereshiyth 3:19 says: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Ecclesiastes 12:7: the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. We tend to hang on to the material […]
Read more[And so the great prophet of Israel concludes his final discourse to 2nd generation Israel with blessings upon each of the 12 tribes descended from Jacob’s 12 sons. They have kept their tribal lines in tact for the four centuries of slavery in Egypt; each tribe is identifiable and recognizable through the census taken […]
Read more[Just as Miriam broke out in song during the exodus, here Moshe does the same. This song, says the commentator, is a ‘didactic ode’. Man oh man, what a cultured and educated leader was Moshe and why should he not be? After all he grew up in the Pharaoh’s palace, was a prince of […]
Read more[It is encouraging to hear these words: you are about to lie beside your fathers. The Hebrew Scriptures are not ‘other-life’-centered. The religion that sprung from it—Judaism—therefore focuses on what man can do in his lifetime, not to earn points for the next life or be assured of making it into ‘heaven’, but […]
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