Ah, Saudi Arabia! The country that spawned 15 of the 19 terrorists that executed the atrocities of Sept. 11, 2001. The country we in America are told is an ally, even though, when it comes to values, we have virtually nothing in common with the reactionary oil billionaires running the place. more

During the 16-day government shutdown, the press was full of reports of the battle going on within the Republican Party. Those reports may be understated. The centrist and the liberal Republicans want revenge. Even as the Obamacare website, and the broken promise of being able to keep ones healthcare, is threatening to give the GOP everything they lost in the shutdown and more, even though it was the tea party activists who gave the GOP its house majority, the “establishment” money men of the Republican Party are preparing to attack conservative lawmakers “from sea to shining sea.” more

This week’s portion, Toldot, leaves us wondering about the wisdom of Yitzchak’s behavior in one of the more challenging series of events in his life. There is, again, a famine in Canaan (Israel), and Yitzchak journeys to the coastal region of Gerar (probably today’s Gaza strip), to the king Avimelech. Yitzchak, despite the famine, was very successful, with crops yielding 100 fold the normal yield, and he becomes a very wealthy man (26:13-14) which, of course, makes the local Philistines very jealous. more

My best teachers taught that when a question bothers you, seek from everywhere you can until you find a satisfactory answer. This is one of the reasons why I have found real Chumash questions to be much better answered when learning what all the commentaries say, rather than just reading Rashi or Ramban. more

Sometimes, you can’t change the world, and to make sure the world doesn’t change you, difficult and often painful decisions are necessary. In the Israeli army, there are certain rules and codes you learn quickly, that most soldiers instinctively understand. No normal soldier steals weapons and you don’t ever take personal belongings from anyone, especially from the guys in your own unit. more

The King of Egypt discovers that the woman he brought into his chambers is married to Avraham. “What have you done to me?” he demands of Avraham. “Why didn’t you tell me she is your wife? Why did you say she is your sister, leading me to take her as a wife? Now— take your wife and go!” (12:18-20) Avraham’s response is silence. more

Even as the New York Times reported on a new survey showing once again that American Jews are disassociating from Judaism at a rapid pace, the Broadway musical “Soul Doctor” (which closes its run this Sunday) was celebrating the life of a man who knew how to reach the unaffiliated and help them find their way back. The performances end with audiences of about 900 people gleefully singing “Am Yisrael Chai” (the nation of Israel lives). more

It’s late, 2:30 am. This article is going to get to the editor late, and my Braves lost their lead and their do-or-die playoff game late in the game. I hate being late, but when I’m late, I hustle. When I worked in the city, I became so adept at making the train, no matter how late I was, that I was able to leave my house, drive a mile, find a parking spot (no easy feat!), run toward the train and across the tracks while the train was already there. All in four minutes. Of course I couldn’t catch my breath for half the train ride and I had to listen to the conductor admonish me not to run across the tracks while the gates were down (yes, I know he was right). more

A unique relationship has existed for some time between President Bill Clinton and Rabbi Menachem Genack. The relationship, literary in nature, resulted recently in the publication of an interesting work of 100 essays that were sent by the rabbi to Clinton, many written by the rabbi, and an almost equal number written by many prominent contemporary thinkers reflecting upon the issues of the day, both spiritual and civic. more

The American media seems shocked — shocked! — by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s speech calling for the Palestinians to recognize Israel as the JEWISH State, giving it headline status. more