From Moses to Moses ...

"From Moses to Moses there was none like Moses". The two Moses's of the quote are Moses the lawgiver -- he 0f the 10 commandments etc. -- and Moses Maimonedes the greatest Jewish sage of the middle ages.

Loyal readers of this blog will remember that last year my son Jake portrayed the earlier Moses in the kindergarten Pesach (Passover) play:

Jake as Moses

Witnesses said that his manner and physical resemblance to the biblical Moses was uncanny, and it seemed it would be a long time before anyone would else would pull off such a convincing portrayal ...

That was until Jake's little sister Ella put on the beard!

Ella as Moses

Apparently Ella was a little more tentative in her portrayal than Jake had been, but she is a year younger than he was when he took on the role.

Nevertheless, I am again very proud indeed. (And amused.)

Jake's 10 Commandments

As part of this year's Shavuot celebrations at my son's kindergarten every child devised his or her own version of the 10 commandments. This is what Jake came up with:

Jake's 10 Commandments

1. No jumping on other people.
2. After eating at kindergarten please have a drink to wash down the food that is stuck in your teeth.
3. No poo-ing in your undies.
4. I will not bend my glasses.
5. My sister cannot slap me.
6. I will not take the mattress off my bed and throw it on the floor.
7. Do not slam the door on somebody's fingers.
8. No touching the stove when it is on.
9. No screaming.
10. No tipping water out of the bath.

Just a Little Bit Proud

What with the recent passing of Charlton Heston a newcomer had to step in and play the lead role of Moses in our local kindergarten's model Passover Seder* later today, and my son Jake has scored the honour, leaving me just a little bit proud.

Charlton Heston as Moses

Jake as Moses

Here are the lyrics to one of the more amusing Passover songs that the children will be singing today, recalling the second of the ten plagues that Moses called down upon Pharaoh (and the Egyptians):

The Frog Song (Shirley Cohen)

One morning when Pharoah awoke in his bed
There were frogs in his bed, and frogs on his head
Frogs on his nose and frogs on his toes
Frogs here, frogs there
Frogs were jumping everywhere.

Fittingly, both of his grandfathers will be in attendance, and I look forward to hearing reports, seeing photos and -- technology permitting -- video of Jake with his "overflowing beard" in action.

*The Passover Seder is a special meal in which the story of the Jews' escape from slavery in Egypt is retold and celebrated with food, wine and singing. The model Seder is the kids' version where they learn how it all works. It's a bit like a Christmas pageant, but with more food.

The 10 Comapments

Today is Shavuot, which marks the giving of the 10 commandments to Moses (photo) and his homies.

To celebrate this occasion there we will be cheesecake for morning tea. Why cheesecake?

And to demonstrate that Shavout is not just about artery hardening goodies I have constructed a comparison chart of the original 10 commandments and a respected modern interpretation.

	The Ten Commandments	The Ten Comapments
Given to	Moses	Dan
By	God	Some dude
On	Stone tablets	A slightly soiled napkin
Where	Atop Mt Sinai	Outside a small cafe in Carlton
1	I am the Lord your God who brought you out of slavery in Egypt.	I am RationaleTM your mapping tool who freed you from the bonds of confusion.
2	You shall have no other gods but me.	You shall have no other mapping software but me*.
3	You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.	You shall not omit the little TM symbol.
4	You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy.	You shall have a nice break between mapping exercises.
5	Honor your father and mother.	Pay your subscription / buy the upgrades.
6	You shall not murder.	You shall not own a Mac.
7	You shall not commit adultery.	You shall follow the Holding Hands rule, but that's all!
8	You shall not steal.	You shall use many sources, and give references.
9	You shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour.	You shall not construct defamatory example maps about your colleagues.
10	You shall not covet.	You shall not ask for too many new features at once.

*And bCisive.