On a tall stack of large boxes at the pharmacy each box carried a huge red sign: Bend
Your Knees. A child could read the sign and conclude that the pharmacy was cruel to its
employees, insisting they must bend their knees when picking up a box -- as
though the company were punishing all those who handled boxes. Adults, however,
understand that the reason is positive. Although written in the imperative, the "command"
is much more a warning than a prohibition.
The Old Testament has many commandments. Jews count them: 613. Some of them are
