This presentation is an attempt to analyze the teachings of Judaism by considering: a) its ambient context on the one hand and (b) its inner constructs and workings on the other hand. Alex has prepared a series of visuals to help articulate his ideas. Alex was born in Odessa, USSR (now Odessa, Ukraine). His family immigrated to the US when he was 14. He went to the University of California to get his degree in mathematics and currently works for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. Alex, his wife Katya, and their sons Zachar and Noam, are members of Etz. Alex takes trombone lessons and practices martial arts (not at the same time).