Discover a progressive Jewish interpretation of Maimonides' 13 principles here!



Celebrating 355 Years


of Jews in America


The Ten Commandments



See below, Michael Alan Ross' original mystical, kabbalistic, tour de force, pause for refreshment,

Commit


considering the 1st Commandment,
Recognize God/Goodness!




Now available!


The Jewish Friendship Trail Guidebook

6 Self-Guided Walking/Bicycling Jewish Boston History Tours

Covers Boston, Brookline, and Cambridge

Softcover 198 pages with maps & b/w photos

Print out this
Book Order Form
to order now!



Now available!


The Ten Commandments Guidebook

Ways to Self-Struggle with Classic Morals

In Song, Poetry, and Prose

Covers 10 Commandments Plus One Other!

Softcover 153 pages with practical suggestions pages!

Print out this
Book Order Form
to order now!








Boston Walks Publishers presents


The mystical, kabbalistic, tour de force,
pause for refreshment


Commit


From the New


The Ten Commandments Guidebook




Spiritual and practical ways to self-struggle
with our The Ten Commandments








Copyright © Michael Alan Ross, 2004-2009.
All Rights Reserved.

Email: BostonWalks

Telephone: 617-489-5020




















Michael A. Ross, a post-denominational, American Jew, and author of the newly published, The Ten Commandments Guidebook elucidates both spiritual, practical, and fun ways to self-struggle with our Ten Commandments. Mr. Ross uses his creative poetry, prose, and lyrics to construct modern midrashim and piyyutim, prosaic and poetic commentaries. Rabbi Ellen Pildis, a post-denominational rabbi, offers praise of his text on the book's back cover. In re-Visiting The Ten Commandments , Mr. Ross finds meaningful and unusual ways to sing about, to wax poetic, to constructively criticize, and to praise in light of our Commandments. Mr. Ross also is author of BostonWalks' The Jewish Friendship Trail Guidebook - 6 Self-guided Jewish History Walk Tours of Downtown Boston. His writings are drawn from a lifetime of Jewish American experiences.
Here is an example of his tour de force, Commit, which considers the 1st Commandment in the following verses:






Commit


© Michael Alan Ross 2004-2009. All rights reserved.


Bicycling from Bedford to Lexington Green,
During a Friday respite from the rain-machine,
I paused to sip water at Chabad’s corner repose,
where stood a bearded fellow in casual clothes.


After we substituted a nod for hello,
I drank from my bottle, cooling H2O,
In the moments I sipped, hesitating to go,
He faced me head-on, and said, “You know?”


“It’s not known whether Torah comes from God,
whom is its source or its rod?
Did humans compile some folk tradition?
Draw from our own well, erudition?”


Did I hear him correctly? I asked myself.
As he spoke again to his audience of one:
“Does it really matter from whom the words of Torah come?
For a student, aren’t its teachings, what are to be won?”


My hesitation to remount my bike seemed to encourage him.
“Aren’t our tales as instructive as sociology and psychology?
Aren’t the stories of the Jewish people as powerful as Greek mythology?”
Fleetingly, I imagined blue Jews with Torahs marching on a white-glazed bowl rim.
I nodded yes, as he looked skyward, toward a thickening black cloud.
“Morality, democracy, and justice, aren’t those issues about which Torah speaks loud?”
He raised his arms, like he was a prophet on a soapbox.
“Torah is our tool for finding flowers among rocks!”


He turned once more to me.
“If there is a force behind the universe door, God it may be.”
He now smiled, returning from possible heresy,
“Torah’s teachings are my key.”


With that said, he shook my hand, and walked away,
Leaving me wondering, was it a Spinoza who blessed my last day of May?
Astounded and awed, I mounted and peddled with home in sight.
To celebrate Shabbat’s arrival that coming night.




Notes
1. Chabad (Hebrew acronym for wisdom, understanding, & knowledge) is a Jewish movement with local synagogues.
2. Spinoza was a 17th century, Jewish philosopher.





Midrashim and Piyyutim!


Mr. Ross' poetry about the Ten Commandments, his prosaic warm memories of family life, and his lyrical voicing of social concerns can be called by the Hebrew words piyyutim and midrashim, poems and commentaries, which offer uplifting, spiritual and, sometimes, simply appreciative or challenging interpretations. In addition, Mr. Ross offers many suggestions for the reader to consider in struggling with the Ten Commandments, making this Guidebook a fine teaching tool, usable not only for its inspirational reading but also for its suggestions of good deeds.
To print out a purchase order, click here: The Ten Commandments Guidebook.







Walks Around Boston Links


  • Boston MA's Top Ten Waterside Places to Walk

  • BostonWalks' Large Group Walking & Bicycling Tours of Boston & Environs

    Brookline MA Jewish History Sites

  • Boston MA Jewish History Sites

  • Boston's North End Synagogue Sites

  • Cambridge MA Jewish History Sites

  • Boston's South End Jewish History Sites

  • Boston, Brookline, and Cambridge Houses of Worship




    Have you clicked on these on-line selections from the new,
    The Ten Commandments Guidebook by Michael Alan Ross?






    Now available!


    The Jewish Friendship Trail Guidebook

    6 Self-Guided Walking/Bicycling Jewish Boston History Tours

    Covers Boston, Brookline, and Cambridge

    Softcover 198 pages with maps & b/w photos

    Print out this
    Book Order Form
    to order now!



    Now available!


    The Ten Commandments Guidebook

    Ways to Self-Struggle with Classic Morals

    In Song, Poetry, and Prose

    Covers 10 Commandments Plus One Other!

    Softcover 153 pages with practical suggestions pages!

    Print out this
    Book Order Form
    to order now!















    "West End House" circa 2004
    Begun by 35 Jewish boys in 1903!
    Click here to connect with more of
    Boston's Best!















    Chazak Ve-ematz
    “be strong and resolute”

    (Moses’ words to Joshua in Deut. 31:7)







    Click here for 10 reasons for more bike trails!




    Should orthodox women have the same opportunities to participate in learning, davening, and minhagim as men?


    Click here for an original, creative, poetic elaboration of such a question,

    Sheaylot





    Isn't it time to Attract Middle Class Families Back into Our Cities?

    Here's 10 Ways to bring middle-class families back into cities like NYC:


    10 Ways to Bring Middle Class Families Back into New York City, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Atlanta, and other Cities


    considering the best of the suburban paradigm for our large cities.





    Are you curious about what are some of the ethical reasons for single-payer universal health care insurance?


    10 Moral Reasons for One Payer Universal Health Care Insurance for America


    in light of Hillel's If I'm only for myself, what am I?





    To be satisfied with life

    perhaps, one might consider this raspberry!





    Click here for an original, creative, re-interpretation for progressive Jews of Maimonides classic Jewish prayer of affirmation of Jewish faith, "Ani Maamin,"

    THIRTEEN PRINCIPLES FOR PROGRESSIVE JEWS

    by Michael Alan Ross




    Do you know how many Americans die yearly in car crashes?...
    ...How many?




    When was the last time you really laughed?



    We're featuring good Jewish jokes!
    Check out this month's featured humor
    by clicking here!

    We know that there are other belly laughs our there.
    Email us at bostonwalks@hotmail.com with your contribution!





    Isn't time to make unhealthy hospitals history?

    Here's 10 ways to make our hospitals healthier!







    Sing Sense to America


    Are you ready to celebrate the '08 presidential election by singing some salivatingly satirical and serious song lyrics?
    If so, try these on your tongue:





    Question: What's a political mensch?

    Answer #1
    Answer #2




    BostonWalks

    Integrating the urban, modern Jewish American city experience with its historical sites and themes in such locales as Boston, MA, Portland, ME, East Bay and Providence, RI, and the Upper West Side of Manhattan, NYC.







    Filene Best of Boston NYC UWS Brandeis Love Your Neighbor Watertown, New Town, & Muddy River
    Walk Near Water Refute Hate Walk West/North Ends We're One Pray Here Meditation Clubs
    Brookline Sensual Walks More Love Reporting Jewish Books TEN South End
    What's a political mensch? More "What's a political mensch?"