Facing Consequences: Baldwin and Maimonides

LEFT: James Baldwin seated, with his arms resting on his knees, burning cigarette in his left hand; typewriter visible behind his shoulder; curtained window (maybe hotel room); RIGHT: portrait of Maimonides wearing, with mustache and beard, in turban and robe, with medallion on ribbon around his neck.

January 12, 2023January 13, 2023 ~ vspatz ~ Leave a comment

Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed and James Baldwin's work have a lot to say about "faces" and "vision," with a surprising amount in common.

Facets: Teaching and Deciding

Abstracted image of two-pan balance atop two large books with gavel nearby.

January 3, 2023January 6, 2023 ~ vspatz ~ Leave a comment

In their discussion of Rabbi Meir and his ability to see so many facets of an issue, "Talking Talmud" explore some differences between teaching and law-making. Facility in exploring many facets of an issue and teaching students to consider various perspectives can be an asset for a teacher, for example; endless exploration, however, does not … Continue reading Facets: Teaching and Deciding

Faces: Shown, Turned, Supplied

Three images: clear solid of 20 faces; five emoji faces; neural network

December 27, 2022January 3, 2023 ~ vspatz ~ Leave a comment

What is the effect on an individual scholar, and on a community, of following R' Meir's endless facets example?