The Rest Is Commentary

The great teacher and revered rabbi, Hillel, was once asked the meaning of the Torah.  He responded with an early exposition of the so-called Golden Rule, and added, "The rest is commentary."  I will note, to the side, that Hillel survived some ten years into the Common Era, but lived 90% of his life in what is referred to as BCE.

So what "everybody knows" about the origin of the Golden Rule - who said what and when - ain't necessarily so, despite what was taught in Sunday School.  But, to Hillel's point, that is merely commentary.  What is important, what we should observe and practice, what we should focus on, is the Rule itself.

We face examples in our workday world, as well.  Almost any new technology or concept will attract and hold evangelists, followers, demonizers, and opponents.  On all sides, they display distressing tendencies to take positions and make arguments based on what is commentary rather than the core of the matter.

Some fought - and still  fight - the notion of universal RFID tag applications.  Chips cost too much (although technology costs always plummet with time and volume).  It is only good for big-ticket items (even though the ultimate value lies in application with vast quantities of inexpensive items).

You are not doing lean if you are not doing all elements of lean - no compromise, for lean is of no value if the precepts of the holy writ are not fully adopted.  Any initiative that does not embody Six Sigma is illegitimate, even if it reduces operating costs and/or avoids capital expenditures.

Dim weight pricing for parcel shipments is the brainchild of spawn of Satan.  No matter that the wolf lurks under cover of sheep's clothing, departing from past practice is a sin, probably of the mortal variety.

Beginning with supply chain and logistics issues, continuing with general business decisions, and thinking about applications in personal life, take a moment to concentrate on the real core of the matter at hand, sift through the commentary, and seek solutions that are practical, possibly imperfect, acceptable through compromise - and right.