Who are we at war with in the Middle East? We are at war with the Islamic State terrorist organization in Iraq and Syria, but we should appreciate that this is not the only enemy. more

For the last few weeks the exchanges have been the same —”Shanna Tova” (“have a happy and healthy new year”) or my favorite, “gut g’benched yur,” as my grandparents used to say. They were very good at “vinching oon” (“wishing upon you” as in “vinching oon a gut, g’benched yur.” Not many people I know use that last phrase, but one who did was my husband’s parrot. more

Ask a foreigner to name a British parliamentarian. Assuming they are able to provide an answer, there’s a high chance, especially if that person is a Jew or a Muslim, that the name on their lips will be that of George Galloway. more

As a follow-up to last week’s essay on music and its role in our faith’s observances, consider the following sent to me this week by one of Israel’s leading theologians, Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo, entitled, “The Divine Word Is Deadly, Only A Melody Can Rescue It.” more

“This day G-d commands you to fulfill [all the laws], and you should do them with all your heart, and with all your soul.” (26:16) The Midrash Tanaim jumps on the classic interpretation (see also Tanchuma 1) that when Moshe says “This day” with reference to mitzvah observance, he is noting that any demonstration of following the Torah creates a visual for G-d as if the Jewish people have accepted the Torah on that day. more

Teaching in the old city of Jerusalem, one develops a certain awareness of the different types of people who can wander in off the street. Many of the people who frequent the old alleyways and ancient stones of Jerusalem are incredible people with incredible stories. But every once in a while you can get real characters walking through your door. more

ISIS is different from other terrorist groups but perhaps not in the same way it is being reported. Some say it is unprecedented in its level of violence, pointing out that its leaders were thrown out of al Qaeda for being too violent. That is a special kind of crazy. Truth is they weren’t thrown out for being to violent but for not submitting themselves to the al Qaeda leadership. more

Michael Brown was buried last week. Some criticize the family for asking Al Sharpton to speak at Michael Brown’s funeral. That’s wrong; the Brown family is enduring a pain that no parent should endure and should not be criticized for any choice they make to ease their pain. more

I remember the look of shock on his face like it was yesterday. It was, I believe, the summer of 1984, and we were on patrol in Beirut. Technically, the Lebanese stores were off limits to us and we weren’t even supposed to go into them, but it was a really hot day, and we were really thirsty, so, using “initiative in the field,” a couple of us went in to a market to get a couple of six-packs of Coke for the guys. more

From the one time in Re’eh to the three times in Shoftim to the five times in Ki Tetze, the Torah tells us nine times to eradicate evil – “Uvi’arta hara” – from either amongst you, or amongst all of Israel. It would seem that in most of these cases, as well as others in our parsha, the Torah is advocating for a death penalty kind of punishment for those who are either guilty of a crime, or are in violation of a mitzvah. more