We were taught in high school that our Western way of life rests, largely, on "two ancient pillars: Greek and Roman civilization". Seldom did we hear, probably because of our teachers' respect for the principle of church-state separation, about the third ancient pillar underpinning our culture: Biblical civilization. And yet, historians remind us of the profound impact our Biblical heritage has had and continues to have on Westen culture-from our urge toward social and scientific progress, to our embrace of basic human rights and universal compassion. In this 3-part series, the Rabbi will focus on three important examples of the Bible's ongoing influence on our lives.