Category Archives: The Jewish people

“Strangers,” in Israel and America

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

We had a guest from America in our shul this week who discussed the week’s portion, lech lecha. She focused on the question of the treatment of the ger, the person who is a non-Jew in Eretz Yisrael and (variously) … Continue reading →

Posted in American society, Israel and Palestinian Arabs, Israeli Arabs, Israeli Society, The Jewish people, Zionism | 2 Comments

A Unity Government, Without Arabs and Without Haredim

Posted on September 22, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

The study of Torah is good in combination with an occupation, since the toil of both makes sin forgotten. All Torah that is not combined with work will eventually cease and lead to sin. — Rabban Gamliel, son of Rabbi … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Arabs, Israeli Politics, The Jewish people, War | 2 Comments

No, it wasn’t Antisemitic

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

Donald Trump said: Five years ago, the concept of even talking about this – even three years ago – of cutting off aid to Israel because of two people that hate Israel and hate Jewish people – I can’t believe … Continue reading →

Posted in American Jews, American politics, Jew Hatred, The Jewish people | 1 Comment

Tisha b’Av, in Judea

Posted on August 11, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

Today Jews are observing the fast of the 9th of Av, commemorating the destruction of the Jewish Temples in 586 BCE and 70 CE. They are abstaining from food, sex, or anything pleasant that might distract them from contemplation of … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel and Palestinian Arabs, Israeli Society, The Jewish people | 3 Comments

This isn’t Ferguson

Posted on July 7, 2019 by Victor Rosenthal

It turned out that Ferguson wasn’t what they said it was either, but that’s another story. Don’t Americanize it. A black Israeli of Ethiopian origin was shot dead by a policeman, and there were riots, roads were blocked, cars were … Continue reading →

Posted in Israeli Society, The Jewish people | 6 Comments