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"Good Shepherds" in both testaments. Jesus' reputation as a good shepherd is unsurpassed in the history of the world.

In early paganism, animals were of the utmost importance. Taking care of animals is one of the 613 Commandments in Judaism (yes there are 613; most of us only know of the "Top Ten"). One of them is a commandment that one's animals must be fed before feeding oneself.

Many people are now fascinated with the teachings of Kaballah. Kaballah is considered a mystical interpretation of the Torah, and if practiced correctly it improves the lives of the reader or "receiver" (Kaballah actually means "To Receive").

A problem exists, though; and I am not saying it is bad to read the Kaballah and try to practice it's valuable and positive lessons (there is also a Christian version of Kaballah, now I am told though have not read it but plan to).

The challenge is, (and the debate is still raging) can it be done (understanding and practicing the wisdom of Kaballah without reading and understanding the Torah first)? Ancient scribes and modern-day scholarly rabbis say "no way, it's a waste of time to try".

I don't have an opinion on it, but it only makes sense to me. An analogy might be a very bright junior high student. At times one is so bright they are put into college, and not made to graduate from high school. Though many do well academically, the emotional strain is too much. History is loaded with such great young minds. And because of that, education has changed dramatically in the past four decades and it is not done so often. New more challenging alternative programs have been developed for "the gifted child" to be challenged througout middle and high school academia and entering college at a more appropriate age.

Such is trying to graduate from Torah, it appears, and going straight to Kaballah, which, admittedly is much "more fun and interesting to talk about at parties, but has anything really dramatically transpired to help that person? Maybe so, maybe not. Again, I am no expert. I know in my own case, I tried to go straight to Kaballah and found it very confusing.

I was not brought up religiously so I did not learn the Torah (I am not proud of that) but it was just my reality. Now I am trying to read and learn from it; the end game is not "to graduate" one day to Kaballah, but if I feel I truly understand the Torah one day, and am "living it" as it teaches, I may not even find I need Kaballah. I tend to have good instincts and to often understand

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