Raymond Smullyan, in his book “5000 BC and Other Philosophical Fantasies,” posits the question of two identical twin brothers, one who always lies and the other who always tells the … more

There are moments in time one needs to forget. Often, though, these are moments we really need to remember. Such a moment came into my life on Aug 9th (the 20th of Av) in 2001. An beautiful … more

It was only a fraction of a moment of my time in the army, but it was a lesson I never forgot, though to this day I am undecided as to whether I agree with it. We were still in basic training, … more

Some lessons you learn the hard way, and they are never forgotten. In Infantry Officer’s training there is an obstacle course known as the “A’son Teva” (Freak of … more

In 1860, a relatively unknown one-term congressman named Abraham Lincoln stunned the country by prevailing over three prominent rivals — William Seward, Salmon Chase, and Edward Bates … more

While Westerners most often view Sunday morning as a chance to sleep late, relax with the family, and catch up on the news, for most Israeli soldiers it can be the most depressing moment of the … more

Prince Charming doesn’t always find Cinderella, and stories do not always have “happy” endings, as most of us learn the hard way. I remember once, after a harried chase, … more

If you would have asked me what Abir would end up doing with his life, I would have imagined him as a bouncer. Abir, an ex-paratrooper, is one of the unsung heroes of the battle of the Chinese … more

It was a nasty time in a nasty place: Ramallah, 1988, at Mutzav Sivan, next to the Arab “refugee” camps of Al Bireh and Al Amari during the first intifada. After a week of intense … more

There is a mystical idea which suggests that hidden within every fire of destruction is the spark of redemption. Such, for example, was the case on Aug. 3, 1492, which was also the Ninth of … more