I am not usually given to interpreting prophecy or dealing with messianic and/or apocalyptic visions. However, I have recently been reviewing the book of the prophet Yechezkel and could not help but think that many of the prophecies recorded in the middle section of the book are eerily similar to events that are occurring in our present day Middle Eastern part of the world. The prophet... READ MORE →
Though Thomas Jefferson was undoubtedly a great intellect and a skilled political leader, I have never been given to carefully dissect his writings in order to discover subtle philosophical nuances and deeply hidden meanings. Usually, for me, only Torah contents are worthy of such scrutiny, for their messages are eternal and relevant for all times, circumstances and every generation - and indeed... READ MORE →
One of the impossible tasks in human life is undoing the past. Perhaps even more tragic, and even unfair, is judging the past by current norms and standards. Yet no matter what we attempt, the past always rises up to bite us. Since all of us make mistakes in our lifetimes, the past is always a danger to us. In the scheme of things we are always remembered for our past failings rather than for... READ MORE →
It should be obvious to all except the most delusional of us that Europe does not like Jews, Judaism, Israel and anything that reminds it of those subjects. Germany almost banned circumcision. They reasoned (?) that since the baby didn’t consent, his civil rights were being violated. But vaccinations are certainly allowed without the baby’s permission, as is enforced school attendance and... READ MORE →
Part of the collateral damage being inflicted upon our current Western democratic society by the loosening of all moral and legal restraints on speech, assembly and sexuality is that there is apparently no longer any meaning to the concepts of shame and disgrace. Unbridled arrogance and inflated personal ego rule the world of politics, religion and public life. A convicted felon serves as one... READ MORE →
The recent revolution in Egypt that removed the Moslem Brotherhood from power (is it only temporarily?) reflects the ongoing instability and cross- currents that dominate the Arab world. As usual, the Western world and the United States were surprised and overwhelmed by the event and completely impotent in attempting to influence this outcome. The mindset of the West, proven over and over... READ MORE →
This past June 6 marked the sixty-ninth anniversary of the invasion of continental Europe by Allied forces in World War II. There has been much discussion over the past few decades as to the strategic and true military importance of that great amphibious landing operation. However for all those who were alive at that time it was an event of almost messianic proportions. All felt that here at... READ MORE →
History has recorded for us great powers, ideas, faiths and societies that though apparently successful for periods of time, even long centuries, have turned eventually into monumental failures. The twentieth century was witness to the immense failure of fascism and of communism as examples of promised social panaceas that eventually collapsed due to false ideals and dogmatic ineptitude. ... READ MORE →
The new Pope of Rome, a 76-year-old Argentinian cardinal, ascends his throne with a murky past. Rumors have always swerved about him and his behavior during the terrible period of “The Dirty War” that engulfed Argentina, when the country was controlled by the military juntas. The cardinal was accused of complicity and of notable silence during that sad period of time that consumed tens... READ MORE →
Individuals, societies and nations are always pursuing the elusive goal of self-definition. God’s question to Adam “Where are you?” can easily be interpreted as also being the question of “Who are you?” The search for our true inner self is the single most complicated and psychologically difficult pursuit of the human soul. Many people unfortunately define themselves only in terms of... READ MORE →
