DEUT583 ... I hope to put to rest the widespread but false notion that, after producing the Bible, the Jewish people wrapped itself in a cocoon of laws, continuing in this state of hibernation down to the modern period. Actually, the ethical philosophy of Judaism can be seen from the human viewpoint as a basic and balanced response to the ultimate questions of our existence. Far from being diminished, its validity, when it is considered apart from the closed circle of dogmatic beliefs, is really enhanced. The enduring theme of Judaism is the quest of the good life – "to do that which is right in the sight of man and good in the sight of God." [Author cites Sifri, Deuteronomy 12:29 -AJL] This two-fold quest remains our "ultimate concern," as human beings, even when we no longer assume that the Divine Will has been revealed in all literalness and completeness. If by religion we mean a living awareness of the mystery of life, we cannot separate the domain of ethics. Every value we affirm points to a structure of values in the scheme of things. We cannot even rank man above the beast without some conception of the cosmic order. Thus, religion and humanism cannot be completely separated.