The Torah portion on the Yom Kippur is Leviticus 19, K’doshim, the call to holiness. It expands on a few of the Ten Commandments, but is largely devoted to relationships among people, rather than with God. It is more of a mundane, moral code than a set of rules about how one should act before God. As the English translation was being read following the chanting of the Hebrew, I was struck by the timeliness of its prohibitions and prescriptions. If one brackets the references to God, this Torah portion offers a set of rules that I would relate to… Read More
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The most important law and order situation that can arise in the United States is the presidential transition. Nothing else comes close as a matter of public interest. Without that, our democracy may falter. It is much more consequential than unruly and riotous gatherings. Much more than keeping the streets safe. . . Our most important set of laws, The US Constitution, cannot be flaunted without threatening the rule of law that keeps our country unique among nations. Trump’s failure to commit to such an orderly change absolutely disqualifies any claims to being its defender. On this alone, he should… Read More
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I know I am in the same boat with many of you. It helped me to find expression in poetry. You can fill the word in ****. Pissing in the Wind John Ehrenfeld That is how I feel today; The angst just won’t go away. This political season Defies all rhyme or reason. Can the country’s center hold Against a party so bold And completely corrupted, When a death interrupted A most fraught situation, That threatens our dear Nation And shows the venality And crooked mentality Of the Senate majority Serving a minority Of the whole population? It has led… Read More
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