Entries for October 2014

Lech L'cha: End the Occupation!

Lech L'cha: End the Occupation!
G-d was just testing Avram (Abraham) when G-d ordered him to “Lech L’cha (‘Go forth‘) to a land that I will show you.”  Unfortunately, Avram failed the test.   He went, but when he discovered that the land w... Continue Reading »
Oct 31
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel

Noah: No Jewish missionaries, just a Jewish mission.

Although the annual prescribed period for Jews to engage in intense introspection has just passed, it’s always timely to ask ourselves these two questions:  1.    What is the fundamental purpose of my life?   2.&nbs... Continue Reading »
Oct 24
Posted in: Torah Commentary

B'reshit: In the (New) Beginning, the Holidays Were Over!

B'reshit: In the (New) Beginning, the Holidays Were Over!
I’ve just returned from celebrating a raucous Shimini Azeret/Simchat Torah holiday (these are the same day in Israel) in Efrat, the only town (pop. about 10,000) among smaller enclaves in the Gush Etzion “block” of Jewish settlement... Continue Reading »
Oct 17
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish Holidays , Israel

Why Didn't the Israeli Middle Class Protests Succeed?

Why Didn't the Israeli Middle Class Protests Succeed?
Why didn’t the 2011 Israeli street protests succeed?  Last week, I introduced veteran Israel-analyst Jim Lederman and his recent comments about growing consensus in Israeli society. Jim had made a passing reference in his blog to the fa... Continue Reading »
Oct 17
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel

Rejoicing in the Growing Consensus in Israel

Rejoicing in the Growing Consensus in Israel
This past Thursday morning, in my schul’s sukkah after services, I met a young British couple newly arrived on their first visit to Israel.  Returning to our apartments, they marveled at how silent Jerusalem felt on this first day of Sukko... Continue Reading »
Oct 11
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel

He who guards his mouth preserves his life
Proverbs 13:3