Writing is a quantum leap up from speaking. Writing requires translating thoughts and words into code – a code made up of images, calligraphed onto a medium like papyrus, (today, paper or other media). Consider the immense brainpower needed to compress a thought sequence into a coded series of images, and to further compress these into a three-dimensions of dextrous hand-movements, plus control of writing instruments, let alone alignment of mental flow with these complex physical actions. We take this completely for granted. But imagine meeting up with someone who never heard of writing, and you read from a book trying to convince that person that your words were inherent in the visuals of these squiggles. Do you really think they would believe you? And there is yet another dimension to writing and publishing viz. a sense of responsibility. What you say has only a real-time lifespan. When you finish speaking, the communication ceases. Memory might extend it, but only for the few listeners, and even then, only as long as memory permits. But writing’s longevity may be eternal. The message lasts and remains extant for all to read, maybe for ever. Therefore, writing comes with heavy responsibility, requiring the writer to think twice and more before committing anything into written format, especially since its impression on others is ongoing and if published, greatly magnified and extended. That is why Jewish teachings have always tried to dissuade the urge to publish. It requires gravitas, wisdom, and accuracy to dare put thoughts into the public arena of books. Yet we are called the People of the Book and have probably the most voluminous library of writings and books of any culture, nation, and religion in the history of humankind. And we have also had, for over 3500 years, a near 100% literacy rate. So please explain! (April 23 has been designated as World Book Day)