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 in Torah at all. It’s really the story of a…
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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?” Aaron said, “Let not my lord be enraged. You know…
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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, he says he will be there for 40 days, for…
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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 hand, on grinding stones. Not the large mortar and pestles…
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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 God of your father who helps you,And Shaddai who blesses…
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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 Egyptians. The four wild species of wheat, along with the…
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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 it’s just me. Book research can take you along a…
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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 very day, they entered the wilderness of Sinai. Exodus 19:1…
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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 a half of near-constant travel), they realize their old ways…
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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 not be the same as one from Biblical times. So…
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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 will say, okay, duh, Mount Sinai must be in Sinai,…
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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 gives us this information, there are some contradictions and places…
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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 of the tablets of the pact aka the Ten Commandments?…
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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 of food. And every morning thereafter for 40 years. But…
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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 in Marah and Elim, they head towards the mountains. Upon…
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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 it a substance that exists in our world already? 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 mentions, which are below. Moses was born a Hebrew slave…
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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 Greece often gets the credit for the concept of four…
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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 water at Marah. After Moses makes the water drinkable, they…
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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 one quarter Jewish and one quarter Native American, from the…
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