Try to smile and love your neighbor Copyright Michael Alan Ross, 2004-2007. All rights reserved. (Suggestion: Sing to the music of Ludwig Beethoven's Ode to Joy) Neighbor, neighbor does it matter, What one's age in numbers be? Let's all learn to welcome others. Let not age determine me. [chorus] Try to smile and love your neighbor. Treat 'em as your family. Let's all learn to welcome others. [plus...] Let not age determine me. Neighbor, neighbor does it matter, What one's sex or gender be? Let's all learn to welcome others. Let not sex determine me. [chorus, plus...] Let not sex determine me. Neighbor, neighbor does it matter, What religion one may be? Let's all learn to welcome others. Let not creed determine me. [chorus, plus...] Let not creed determine me. Neighbor, neighbor does it matter, What one's race or color be? Let's all learn to welcome others. Let not race determine me. [chorus, plus...] Let not race determine me. Neighbor, neighbor does it matter, What one's politicking be? Let's all learn to welcome others. Let not pols determine me. [chorus, plus...] Let not pols determine me. Neighbor, neighbor does it matter, What one's native language be? Let's all learn to welcome others. Let not speech determine me. [Chorus, plus...] Let not speech determine me. Neighbor, neighbor does it matter, How some one appears to me? Let's all learn to welcome others. Let not looks determine me. [chorus, plus...] Let not looks determine me. Neighbor, neighbor does it matter, What one's schooling choices be? Let's all learn to welcome others. Let not school determine me. [chorus, plus...] Let not school determine me. Neighbor, neighbor does it matter, How much money's left to me? Let's all learn to welcome others. Let not wealth determine me. [chorus, plus...] Let not wealth determine me. Neighbor, neighbor does it matter, What one's marriage status be? Let's all learn to welcome others. Single won't determine me. [chorus, plus...] Single won't determine me. Neighbor, neighbor does it matter, What's one's nationality? Let's all learn to welcome others. Birthplace won't determine me. [chorus, plus...] Birthplace won't determine me. Neighbor, neighbor does it matter, What's one's fame or power be? Let's all learn to welcome others. Let not fame determine me. [chorus, plus...] Let not fame determine me. Copyright Michael Alan Ross 2004-2007. All rights reserved.

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, 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. The Ten Commandments Guidebook, ISBN 0970082525, by Michael Alan Ross is available for purchase online at http://bostonwalks.tripod.com/TCbookorderform.html and for sale in selected bookstores such as Kolbo Fine Judaica and Israel Book Shop in Boston/Brookline. It also can be purchased in multiple copies for Hebrew, day school, and adult classes directly from the publisher. The Ten Commandments Guidebook, ISBN 0970082525, by Michael Alan Ross, BostonWalks Publishers 2004. In paperback, 153 pages, list price: $19.95 (Wholesale purchase of 12 or more copies available at 40% discount.). Contact information: BostonWalks Publishers, 50 Grove St., Belmont MA 02478 Email: bostonwalks@hotmail.com, Telephone: 617-489-5020.