I’ve been a fan of Israeli writer Yossi Klein Halevi for a long time. He grew up in Brooklyn, the son of a Holocaust survivor, and became — in his own telling — a right-wing Jewish extremist, before moving left.
He is one of the more thoughtful observers of contemporary Israeli politics and culture. Though he’s on the left now, most of what he says is worth reading, because he is honest and authentic.
So I was troubled by his latest piece at the Times of Israel (linked below), in which he admits that he has felt a sense of animosity toward those who support Netanyahu, whom he thinks is tearing Israel apart.
I have a different view — namely, that Netanyahu is saving democracy, in Israel and elsewhere (see second link, below). So it’s troubling that I see things so differently than a writer I admire.
Basically, I’m looking at the constitutional issues. Halevi is looking at the broader social tensions within Israel. I think there is a way to come together and have a dialogue. At least, I hope there is.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-wounded-jewish-psyche-and-the-divided-israeli-soul/
This is the final edition of THE AGENDA -- finished a few days early!
What an incredible week we have coming. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is here; confirmation fights continue; a trade war looms; the fire fallout goes on; plus, the Grammys and the insane Lakers/Luka trade.
Special guests:
- John Carney, financial editor, Breitbart News, on the tariff/trade war
- John Hayward, foreign policy reporter, Breitbart News, on hostages
- Matt Boyle, political editor, Breitbart News, on confirmation fights
- Jerome Hudson, entertainment editor, Breitbart News, on the Grammys
- Dylan Gwinn, sports editor, Breitbart News, on the Lakers/Luka trade
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This week's portion deals with the final three Plagues (Locusts, Darkness, and the Death of the Firstborn), as well as the Passover ceremony, and the Exodus.
One of my rabbis, whose family has been deeply affected by the Palisades Fire, wrote an extended contemplation of the plague of Darkness. He suggested that we try to uncover the light within the darkness in moments of difficulty.
I have just two thoughts to add about this week's portion. One is about the odd phenomenon of my house being spared from the fire. People have commented that it must have been because of my "mezuzot" -- the scrolls that Jews affix to almost every doorpost in the house in commemoration of the Passover blood. According to tradition, a mezuzah protects the house, just as the blood of the paschal lamb protected the Israelites from the Angel of Death in Egypt.
I don't know -- there are rabbis who lost their homes, and they certainly had mezuzot. Plus, I was missing one mezuzah that fell off a closet door. But who...
