2003-06-30T10:19:00.000-04:00

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:

Lists of 10 times Israelites tested G-d's patience. References to follow
Death of Israelites during the ninth plague (Darkness). References to follow
The final punishment of Israelites for the Sin of the Spies. References to follow
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.

2002-08-20T09:48:00.000-04:00

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."

Math & Midrash

Who cares?