Engaging in the Story Media technology enables hitherto unimagined dramatic power. Special effects, with their synchronized visual and audial impact stun audiences again and again. The news media use visual impact to shape public opinion and manipulate public sympathies. Sitting in a movie seat or in front of a TV, demands no effort to engage in the drama. The drama is so compelling that it leaves an audience little choice about engaging in it. Theater is a little different. Unless it is a major Broadway-style musical production, theater requires more attentiveness. You need to follow ..

Left and right imbalance I had never thought of it before; have you? There are very many fewer characters on the left-hand side of the Luchot (that side of the two Tablets of Stone that lists the Commandments dealing with peoples’ responsibilities to other people) than there are on the right! There are five commandments on each side, but the commandments on the right-hand side dealing with peoples’ responsibilities to Hashem, are much longer than those on the left dealing with interpersonal obligations. On the left each is a mere phrase in the imperative. On the right there is detailed na..