Israel

Shavuot: Learn, Baby, Learn!

Shavuot: Learn, Baby, Learn!
Poor Shavuot!  It is surely the “Rodney Dangerfield” of major Jewish holidays. Yes, of major Jewish holidays. The Torah commands us to celebrate three pilgrimage festivals; Pesach, Sukkot, and Shavuot.  But Shavuot gets short... Continue Reading »
May 21
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish Holidays , Jewish Rituals, Israel

Responsibility -- A True Story

Responsibility -- A True Story
“All Jews are Responsible For One Another” (Talmud, Shevuot 39a)  “Adoni, atah yachol l’azor li?”  (Sir, can you help me?”) There was no one else around, so he must be talking to me.   I tur... Continue Reading »
May 12
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish Rituals, Israel

Behar/Emor: Consistently Inconsistent

Behar/Emor: Consistently Inconsistent
I’ve returned to Israel, where this week’s Torah reading is B’har. Back in America, though – and everywhere in the Diaspora, – this week’s Torah portion is Emor, which was read last week here.   The diverge... Continue Reading »
May 08
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish Holidays , Israel

No Jewish Future Without Israel?

This week, speaking at Israeli Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron) ceremonies, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “… we find comfort in the fact that these sons and daughters died for the noblest of causes: to ensure the survival of this nation.... Continue Reading »
Apr 24
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel

Understanding Israel: Election Part 6: My Vote

Understanding Israel: Election Part 6: My Vote
“I can’t accept Arabs as 30% of the ruling coalition.  Fortunately, I don’t have to.  I’ll vote for Buji [Herzog] and Tzipi [Livni]… they’ll win … but they don’t have a coalition, so Bibi wi... Continue Reading »
Mar 15
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel, Podcast

Understanding Israel: Election: Part Five

Understanding Israel: Election: Part Five
[If you prefer to listen to this post, please scroll down to the end and click on the attached audio file.]  Can Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu win this election even if he loses it? The short answer is “yes.”  Current pol... Continue Reading »
Mar 06
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel, Podcast

Understanding Israel, Part Four, Elections

Understanding Israel, Part Four, Elections
[To listen to this posting, please scroll to the end and click on the attached audio file].   With the election less than three weeks away, the latest polls show Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party in a tie – or even slightly b... Continue Reading »
Feb 27
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel, Podcast

Understanding Israel: The 2015 Election Part Three: Religious Parties

Understanding Israel: The 2015 Election Part Three: Religious Parties
[To listen to this segment, please scroll down to the end and click on the attached audio file.] One of the principal “fault lines” in Israeli politics is whether Israel should be a Jewish state or a state of the Jews.  “Jew... Continue Reading »
Feb 20
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel, Podcast

Understanding Israel, Segment #2: The 2015 Election: Arab Parties

Understanding Israel, Segment #2: The 2015 Election: Arab Parties
[To listen to this post, please scroll to the end and click on the attached file.] This week, in Part Two of “Understanding Israel, The 2015 Election: Israel Politics and the Party System,” let’s look at the Arab parties.   ... Continue Reading »
Feb 12
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel, Podcast

Understanding Israel Segment #1: The 2015 Election: The Role of Political Parties

Understanding Israel Segment #1: The 2015 Election: The Role of Political Parties
[Note: If you prefer listening, please scroll to the end and click on the attached audio file.]  In six weeks, March 17th, 2015, corresponding to the 26th of Adar, 5775 on the Jewish calendar, Israeli citizens will again head to the polls to ... Continue Reading »
Feb 06
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel, Podcast
Page 2 of 6First   Previous   1  [2]  3  4  5  6  Next   Last   

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