Jack: Let me first address the issue of settlements. Before 1967, we Jews did not have access to our holy places such as the Wailing Wall, Rachel's Tomb, and the Tomb Of The Patriarchs in Hebron. I believe that the prime reason the settlements were put in, was to establish a Jewish presence so that Jews will never again be denied access to our holiest of places, and be allowed to pray there. Assuming that a Palestinian state is established in those areas, one provision that must be honored by both parties is the right of access by all religious groups (Jewish, Muslim, & Christian) to their respective holy sites. It is noteworthy that while Israel in in control of Jerusalem, the area of the Temple Mount and Dome Of The Rock are under the exclusive control of the Muslim Waqif, and Jews are not permitted to pray there. Now, as far as the Torah is concerned, it consists of all the Books in the Old Testament, PLUS the
Talmud & Mishna, which we call the Oral Law. We belive that the Oral Law as well the the Old Testament (Written Law), were both transmitted to Moses at Mt. Sinai. Although the Christians believe that the principle of "Love the neighbor as thyself" originated in the New Testament, we Jews believe that is was transmitted to Moses as part of the Oral Law. There are quotations from Rabbi Akiva and Hillel, 2 great sages of the Tanaaic era to back this up. Therefore Jack, as far as you and I are concerned it is important that we both believe in this important principle, even though we have culled it from 2 different sources. SOL ZELLER