Emor – People or Priests
If only Vayikra had ended last week. The message of holiness that shapes how we live, how relate to one another, how we care and how we love was inspiring. Unfortunately, the rupture of Nadav and Avihu’s death is still…
By
Josh Frankel
Acharei Mot – Kedoshim
Imagine what Aaron must be feeling. On what should have been his finest day, God killed, suddenly, publicly, without warning, his two children. Children who did nothing wrong save from trying to worship that same God. He is beyond words.…
Tazria-Metzora
Vayikra tells of the oscillating flow between tameh and tahor, pure and tainted. Actions and events, some controlled by people, others in God’s hands cast the verdict of tuma’a upon the ancient Israelites. Turned away from public gatherings and from…
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Yvette?
Yesterday, I was frightened. Weeks and weeks of racist, xenophobic commercials from Yisrael Beiteinu had my blood pressure up, and polls showing Mr. Lieberman getting as many as 20 mandates on fear alone had me wondering who these Israelis were,…
For the Sake of Peace, Pray for the IDF
Here’s my thesis: The best thing that can happen for peace in the Middle East, today, is a decisive military victory for the IDF in Gaza – not an immediate ceasefire. Now that you’ve read that, take a minute to…
Subtlety and the Art of Ignorance
Ahh, it’s that time of year again. “The time when kings go to war” (actually, that’s the spring, but close enough anyway) Israel pulls out its M-16s and us lonely bloggers soak our fingers in baths of vitriol before attacking…
Uri L'Tzedek Declares Victory
That’s right folks, we can all eat meat again. So say the good people at Uri L’Tzedek. A few weeks ago, Rubashkin’s retained former federal prosecutor James Martin from the Prevene group to insure the company’s compliance with relevant secular…
Four Murdered, Dozens Hurt
First rocks, then bombs, and guns, busses, and exploding cars. Today, a bulldozer. The enemies of peace will kill any way they can. God save us.
The Right Way to Criticize Israel
It is here in the Palestinian territories that you see the worst side of Israel . . . Yet it is also here that you see the very best side of Israel. Alright, there’s nothing Earth shattering here. No brand…
Obama Mishegaas
Well, there’s much to be written about the Obamaphobia in many parts of the Jewish community, and I would recommend checking out this wonderful op-ed by Rabbi Yosef Blau in the Jewish Week a couple of weeks ago. Meanwhile, I…