Of Monkeys, Dogs & God: A Ten Commandments’ Tale

our family has taken in a puppy. the dog is an ambassador of sorts. everywhere we go, all people of all sorts ethnicities, nationalities, age, orientations, and health have approached to take the puppy in. each individual approaching do so with happiness, kindness and good intention. the puppy, in return, is friendly to everybody. toContinue reading “Of Monkeys, Dogs & God: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”

Students, A Quarter Shekel For Your Thoughts: A Ten Commandments’ Tale

a little coin can tell you much about the world. it might teach you more about the world than what you can learn in the classroom. this is particularly important with the various ethnic studies programs are cropping up in various california school districts. these programs have been condemned for attempting to promote both anti-semitismContinue reading “Students, A Quarter Shekel For Your Thoughts: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”

The Habituation of Mankind: A Ten Commandments’ Tale

olympia valley california is now ground zero as to the problems with criminal justice reform. a 7-11 shoplifter’s activities best explains why the policies are meant to fail. the criminal did not steal expensive items. he reportedly only stole junk food. he took candy bars. he taunted the store’s clerks by eating his ill gottenContinue reading “The Habituation of Mankind: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”

Appreciating, Understanding & Riding The Wave: A Ten Commandments’ Tale

my best friend took me surfing at newport beach in high school. it did not take long for a wave to come crashing down. i was taken under the water. there, the wave made my surfboard a weapon. a weapon against me. the board smashed my head and cut my back. gnarly. in that moment,Continue reading “Appreciating, Understanding & Riding The Wave: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”

When Programming Needs Prejudice: A Ten Commandments’ Tale

i grew up during the inception of reality tv. in the beginning, reality tv was exciting. it was spontaneous. the producers, who were working in uncharted waters, could not necessarily control the situation. it was a departure from the traditional programming, i.e. situation comedy or cop shows. tv, however, intends to deliver both therapy, asContinue reading “When Programming Needs Prejudice: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”

After September 11th Comes September 12th: A Ten Commandments’ Tale

september 11, in the united states, is a time of mourning and remembering. as such, it is an inappropriate time to address important questions that our politicians, leaders, and law enforcement should be required to address. perhaps, september 12th is the time; a reconciliation of what are truly the continued and sustained efforts being madeContinue reading “After September 11th Comes September 12th: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”

Cuteness Can Break All Rules: A Ten Commandments’ Tale

a puppy, not god, is love? we recently adopted a puppy. over the past weeks, partly not to leave the dog alone, partly because of excessive heat, and partly for a social experiment, we brought the little one everywhere. defying countless store signs, the hypoallergenic puppy met no opposition. the puppy, rather, won over storeContinue reading “Cuteness Can Break All Rules: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”

The Jewish Problem In Modern Germany? A Ten Commandments’ Tale

a jewish problem in modern germany? who would have thought? cantor avitall gerstetter did. she even wrote an article about it. before getting to her article, one must address the landscape. being a jew is multi-factorial. it can be considered a race, a religion, a nationality, a people. for those born jewish, the scrutiny overContinue reading “The Jewish Problem In Modern Germany? A Ten Commandments’ Tale”

A Close (Mishpacha) Encounter Of The Third Kind: A Ten Commandments’ Tale

the recent holiday altered my routine and i found myself on my front yard at an unusual time of day. while standing in front of the awesome 100 plus year old legacy tree, i heard noise up above a large crow stood on the branches staring down at me. shortly after, there was more noise.Continue reading “A Close (Mishpacha) Encounter Of The Third Kind: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”

What Is In A Number? The 613th Post: A Ten Commandments’ Tale

613 is the torah’s big number. it is the number of commandments. besides the 10 commandments, there are an additional 603. this leads to the question, are numbers important? the torah has one particular recurring number. forty plays a large role throughout the torah. for noah, the flood rains came for 40 days; for moses,Continue reading “What Is In A Number? The 613th Post: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”