It’s Purim time… time to get the sweet stuff baking.

This is for an apricot hamantaschen filling…

The rain stopped in L.A. this morning after several days. A few hours later, I decided to check out a local trail that is usually dry. I was amazed…

This week's portion continues the explication of the role of the priests -- the theme of Leviticus. We learn about the appropriate physical state and even the sexual relations that priests can (or cannot) indulge in, as well as the criteria that sacrificial animals must meet in order to be considered for an offering.

We learn about the oil that is to burn in the menorah in the Temple, as well as the punishment for blasphemy. The infamous "eye for an eye" version of justice is in this portion -- but it means the value of an eye, not a physical eye. The point is that punishments must match the offense, neither more nor less.

Today I completed the audiobook recording for my 2021 ebook, "How Not to Be a Sh!thole Country: Lessons from South Africa." It should be available in about a week or so -- just in time for the South African elections...

In the meantime, here's the ebook:

https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Be-thole-Country-ebook/dp/B08SCK2S16

Jordan Peterson is a great writer and speaker. I had the opportunity to see him on his "We Who Wrestle with God" tour -- which is amazing in itself, in that it's a tour for a book that hasn't even come out yet (that's how popular he is).

It was interesting to see him thinking aloud on stage. He explained that the entire process of thought is very much like prayer, in that it involves leaps that can only be attributed to some kind of revelation, or supra-rational inspiration.

He went on to describe the nature of faith as a full commitment to the proper direction of one's life. I enjoyed the Biblical stories he wove through his remarks. His daughter also spoke -- and she is both wise and beautiful.

Very much worth seeing -- if you ever have the chance to do so.