Particularism, Idiots, and the Future of the State of Israel
I have so little athletic ability, that I can’t be a good Monday morning quarterback – not even weeks later. Despite all that people have written – including most of my friends – I...
Tolkien on Jews
The premier issue of The Jewish Review of Books arrived in my mailbox a few days ago. It is more than impressive in its scope and the quality of its contributions. I hope to...
Thirty Days Before the Chag…
we start our preparations for Pesach. For those within range, I will be offering another round of specifically Maharalian preparation for the next two Wednesdays, March 3 and 10. At 8PM on each of...
How to Sign “Happy Purim”
First bring your open palms towards your chest and upwards, then out & down, and repeat — “Happy” Then open your first two fingers of each hand and make a “mask” by bringing your...
Rav Nebenzahl on J-Street
OK, he really said it years ago about Israeli leftists. However, since we import everything else from the the more ethereal Torah provinces of Eretz Yisrael, I figured we could apply his classic one-liner...
“Never gave Purim baskets like those”
Each year we try to cut down on the number of mishloach manot/shalach manos we send, and either give more matanot l’evyonim to the needy, or find indigent Jews who really need mishloach manot...
Let My People’s Fish Go!
In a pleasant break from the usual, this AP wire story has nothing to do with the dreaded Anisakis worm that is the subject of debate within the kashrus community: Washington – Free the...
Someone’s There
Is ending a life of pure contemplation less objectionable that ending one that includes physical activity?