Currently looking at the tales surrounding the deaths of Israelites during the plagues in Egypt and throughout their trip in the wilderness. The topic included are:

1. Lists of 10 times Israelites tested G-d's patience. References to follow
2. Death of Israelites during the ninth plague (Darkness). References to follow
3. The final punishment of Israelites for the Sin of the Spies. References to follow
4. Compilation/Tally of all the times that G-d strikes down (kills) large quantities of Israelites as punishment for some religious infraction. This is related but not entirely synchronous with item #1. For example, the deaths surrounding the Israelite's "civil war" (Korach) is never listed.

Who cares?

The main issue(s) are:

• What kind of G-d are the Israelites facing? Kind-hearted or vengeful? Full of mercy or wrath?
• Disregarding G-d's actual qualities, how are many of the Israelite's reacting to their situation?
• How many deaths do they routinely witness? How does that affect their fear for their own lives?
• Is a constant fear of death healthy or now? Maybe it should be felt even now? Is that an abnormal way to relate to G-d who always chooses the date of a person's birth and subsequent death?

If you have any ideas, let me know. Otherwise, the references and thoughts should begin fleshing out over here.

 
Hi. This is the introductory entry. I'm a mathematical physicist employed at DeVry University in North Brunswick, NJ. I am also interested in Rabbinic midrash, specifically midrash discussing the Jewish version of "original sin."