See below, Michael Alan Ross' original elucidating poem, In Defense of Liberty and Democracy, Freedom and Responsibility considering the parasha of the week, Yitro.

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Boston Walks Publishers presents

The original elucidating poem,

In Defense of
Liberty and Democracy,
Freedom and Responsibility

By the author of

The Ten Commandments Guidebook

With its

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

Copyright Michael Alan Ross, 2007.
All Rights Reserved.

Email: BostonWalks

Telephone: 617-489-5020

Can a post-denominational, American Jew elucidate both spiritual and practical ways to self-struggle with our traditional Jewish faith in God and goodness? Michael Alan Ross uses his creative poetry, prose, and lyrics to construct modern midrashim and piyyutim, prosaic and poetic commentaries to meet such a challenge. Mr. Ross has the chutzpah, audacity, to look anew at some of our Jewish texts and experiences. As a modern, post-denominational, committed, American Jew, he seeks meaningful ways to struggle with our Jewish texts, rituals, good deeds, and beliefs. In his newly published, The Ten Commandments Guidebook, he offers many such ways. He also is author of BostonWalks' The Jewish Friendship Trail Guidebook - 6 Self-guided Jewish History Walk Tours of Downtown Boston. Here is an example of his original, elucidating poem, In Defense of Liberty and Democracy, Freedom and Responsibility, in light of the parasha of the week, Yitro:

In Defense of Liberty and Democracy, Freedom and Responsibility Copyright Michael Alan Ross 2007. All rights reserved. Like Moses coming down The Mountain With the Ten Phrases, We are responsible. Like Moses apportioning judges among the masses To decide fairly, We are responsible. Like Moses declaiming to pharoah Let my people go, We are responsible. Like Moses teaching the laws of Torah To serve God and goodness, We are responsible. Like Moses listening to multiple voices To hear Yitro, Miriam, and Aaron, We are responsible. If liberty is freedom of the body, Then democracy is responsibility of the soul. If liberty is freedom to speak, Then democracy is responsibility to listen. If liberty is freedom to choose life, Then democracy is responsibility to respect another's. If liberty is freedom to associate, Then democracy is responsibility to do right. If liberty is freedom to self-govern, Then democracy is responsibility to vote. If liberty is freedom to make peace, Then democracy is responsibility to care. If liberty is freedom to love and propagate, Then democracy is responsibility to not teach hate. If liberty is freedom to lead your people, Then democracy is responsibility to not blame others. If liberty is freedom to be a good example, Then democracy is responsibility to bless.