Why Was the Golden Calf So Bad?
The story of the Golden Calf is an odd one, in large part because it’s not clear it ever belonged…
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Goldwork for the Golden Calf
Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought such great sin upon them?”…
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Waiting for Moses
After the Revelation and the sacrifices for the reading of the Covenant, Moses heads up Mount Sinai. For some commentators,…
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The Daily Grind
Once you have dehulled grain, the next step is to grind it. In Ancient Egypt, this would be done by…
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The Female God
Before he dies, Jacob blesses each of his sons. In the blessing for Joseph, we have some unusual language. The…
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Threshing & Hulling Emmer
Emmer is an old variety of wheat (and a Farro grain) grown extensively in the ancient world, including by Ancient…
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The Sacrifices Between Revelation and Ascension
So do you ever read the Bible and think to yourself, how much blood did Moses throw anyway? No? Maybe…
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When Moses Smashed the Tablets
Literally. When? On the third new moon after the Israelites had gone forth from the land of Egypt, on that…
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Creating Courts
Once the Hebrews arrive in Mount Sinai and set up the first of their long-term camps (after a month and…
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A Wedding in the Desert
Jewish weddings even today follow traditions thousands of years old. Still, a modern wedding, no matter how strictly observant, will…
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Where in the World is Mount Sinai?
That’s the question, isn’t it? Many people are sure they know where Mount Sinai is but it’s hardly settled. Most…
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From Sin to Sinai
What is the timing of the Hebrews’ journey within the Wilderness of Sin and then to Mount Sinai? While Torah…
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The Timing of the Tablets
What is the timing of Moses’ ascents to the top of the mountain and his bringing of the two sets…
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The Evening Quail
Before there was manna in the Wilderness of Sin, there was quail. Manna came the morning after they ran out…
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Starving in Sin
The Hebrews leave their lives of slavery, flee Pharaoh’s soldiers, then cross the Red Sea into freedom. After extended stops…
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Manna—What Is It?
There is lots of speculation about the manna that God sent to the Hebrews every morning for 40 years. Was…
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Zipporah’s Story in Torah
We don’t hear much about Moses’ wife and sons. To start the process of studying them, I’m first collecting Biblical…
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The Four Elements of the Exodus
Breaking up the world into elements is not a new concept, nor is it limited to Western thought. While Ancient…
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Reflecting in Elim
Our travelers walk from the eastern shore of the Red Sea three days into the desert only to find bitter…
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Yavapai Dances
Among our time travelers is a sibling group (Zach, age 10, and twins, Helena and Yelena, age 9) who are…
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