Blogging

From Heart to Mouth

כִּֽי־קָר֥וֹב אֵלֶ֛יךָ הַדָּבָ֖ר מְאֹ֑ד בְּפִ֥יךָ וּבִֽלְבָבְךָ֖ לַעֲשֹׂתֽוֹ׃ "No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and…

Recreating History

Artificial Intelligence can design, simulate, and recreate history with remarkable precision. AI-driven platforms offer immersive experiences that provide deep insights into the past. While AI holds promise for education,…

Market Recovery

After a visit to Mexico, I tried cooking Oaxacan cuisine. Vegetarian and fish dishes are at the core of Oaxacan meals. A Latin market near my office has the freshest green tomatillos, chochoynes squash, and sweet lemons…

Elected Dictator

Autocrats and their minions rule five dozen countries today. What is surprising to me is that most were elected to govern. Judicious and freedom-loving people are baffled by the eagerness to be governed by a strongman. Perhaps, there is no surprise…

The Perfect Wedding Gift

I believe that there is indeed a perfect wedding gift for a Jewish couple. It doesn’t come from Tiffany’s, nor does it sparkle in a display case. This gift has the profound power to transform your life: a mezuzah made from broken shards…

Judaism’s Constitution

Judaism has a constitution: the Torah. The fifth book of the Torah, Deuteronomy, outlines rights, privileges, proscriptions, and constraints, all aimed at creating a God-centric society. Like any constitution, adherence to these rules requires…

Longing for Zion

Jewish identity is more than having a Jewish grandmother. Being Jewish is sharing customs and traditions. Among those is a longing for Zion. Zion is more than a geographic destination. It is a safe place for wandering people and a spiritual…

Bad Family

In researching my family history, I discovered colorful if not disturbing aspects of my family’s history. This is no surprise. Stories of bad behavior fill Jewish history. These stories may change the way I remember family. As we begin…

Stops Along the Way

A father rushing to get his children to school on time hurried them into the family van. After crossing through intersections and only seeing green traffic lights the father relaxed a little. Then they reached a railroad crossing just as the…

When to Quit

Good leaders know when to quit. George Washington left the presidency, demonstrating the need for an orderly transition of power. In modern times, Nancy Pelosi, the most effective Speaker in history, stepped aside on her own volition. Angela…