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Updated 11/06/09 @ 01:12PM EDT
- The Union for Reform Judaism passed a resolution urging equal services for Israeli Arabs.
- The International Atomic Energy Agency has evidence that Iran may have tested an advanced nuclear warhead design, according to a British newspaper.
- The United States vetoed an Israeli plan to attack a ship bearing weapons allegedly from Iran to Hezbollah, according to a report in an Arabic-language newspaper.
- The Obama administration expects to keep working with Mahmoud Abbas despite his planned resignation as Palestinian Authority president.
- U.S. Jewish groups blasted the U.N. General Assembly for its endorsement of the Goldstone report into last winter's Gaza war.
- Reform endorse qual treatment for Israeli Arabs
- Iran may have tested secret nuclear warhead design
- Report: U.S. stopped Israeli attack on weapons ship
- U.S. sees Abbas in continuing role
- Groups blast UNGA Goldstone vote
- Israel delivers swine flu vaccines to Palestinian Authority
- Abbas announces he won’t run for re-election
- IAEA head: No worries about Iran nuclear site
- Mideast peace push cited in Obama Nobel
- Obama’s Nobel, Israel’s problem?
- Jews of color come together to explore identity
- FBI: Alleged spy wannabe asked for Israeli citizenship
- Family likely murdered by professional killer
- New signs that Ethiopian aliyah will resume
- U.S. appetite for Israeli food grows
- Female Orthodox scholars helping women talk about sex
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Posted in: Breaking the tattoo taboo
10/30/09 03:26 PM
I read Suzanne Kurtz’ article in the Washington Jewish Week before deciding to write. Ami Eden, Jo-Ann Mortz and Ms. Kurtz should at least have an understanding of the facts and basic history of why Jews have traditionally observed a prohibition against tattooing or otherwise marking the body. It is not something that is “taboo”, nor does it have anything to do with the way Jews were marked by Germans during the Shoah. A tattoo desecrates one’s body, which does not really belong to us. Man was created in Hashem’s image (b’tzelem Elokim), and our bodies are essentially on loan and do not belong to us. Jews may have been tattooed during their time in Egypt, but according to historians and scholars, those marking were for identification purposes so there would be no question as to the ownership of individual slaves. Tattooing or other voluntary markings of the body have long been considered idol worship, but this one has any many opinions as there are Jews discussing it... The most germane point is that tattooing is prohibited by the Torah, coming from Leviticus 19:28, and is the basis for the prohibition and subsequent Rabbinic law that only permanent tattoos are not allowed. Tattoos are also strongly associated with idolatry. Pagans, in Biblical times, would tattoo themselves with various religious images, symbols, and names of their gods. Tattoos were prohibited so that Jews would not be associated with or otherwise misidentified as pagans. If Ms. Mort chooses to commemorate having survived a harrowing ordeal with a tattoo, it is none of my business, nor do I have any opinion on her deciding to do so. What I do believe is that if a ritual, belief, halachic law or prohibition is going to be written about and/or discussed, it should be done respectfully with some basic facts that might be helpful in understanding that the topic is more than a superficial issue. In this case, the topic connects directly to the Torah and Hashem.
Posted in: NYT profiles Israel's man in Washington
09/29/09 03:15 PM
Nowhere in the article does it say that Mr. Oren cares more about Israel than the United States. For people who are genuinely interested in Mr. Oren's story, I suggest you click the "Full story here" link at the end of the article and read the full profile of Mr. Oren - degrees from Princton, Columbia (2 actually), decades of service as an IDF soldier, well known scholar, recognized author, and public servant. Mr. Oren is, most importantly, a man of character and integrity. And not incidentally, there are an uncountable number of Jews all over the world outside of Israel who do not think of or believe that Israel is a foreign country.
Posted in: Madoff essay blasted, Shafran apologizes
04/06/09 03:18 PM
It has been a long, long time since Hashem has interfered with the Universe, or the planet Earth, although believing in truth or myth, surely that promise after the Great Flood has surely by now truly brought great regret. Name calling, curses? What a fine collection of Jews are brewing in these comments... There is one tradition that has been and will forever be a part of Judaism - there are more opinions that Jews, and one belief that we need always remember: There is only one G-d. One G-d. No matter how many Jews or how many kinds of Jews. And what does G-d require of thee? To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your G-d.
Posted in: In reversal, U.S. to join U.N. rights council
03/31/09 05:53 PM
There isn't a better time, for Jews or Americans, for the United States to become a member of this misguided body. What better place for us to speak out, vote, and challenge those member who have hindered the Council's efforts to squelch the critics of current governments and conflicts in Darfur, Congo, Belarus, Liberia, and other places. After 8 years of George W. Bush, Richard Cheny, and the damage they have done to America's reputation and standing in the world, I can think of no better place for American to stand up and be counted. Of course it will mean facing America's critics and some hard truths about the conduct of our military under our previous leaders, but it begins the path of restoration for America abroad. The saying so close to our hearts, "Never again" needs to be amended, especially for Jews in the 21st century. I do not mean to minimize either the loss of other families or my own, but it is time for us to truly be a light among the nations and begin to say, and believe, "Never again. For Anyone. Anywhere. Again." Jews, especially Jews, must support America's joining the United Nations Council on Human Relations.
Posted in: Synagogues working to be more open to gays
03/24/09 12:01 PM
Tamar is always so angry, judgmental, narrow minded. We are all tired of her sorry views of Judaism and the world. Being Tamar as she presents herself must be a hard, lonely life. She sometimes makes it a challenge to extend compassion, understanding, and acceptance, as we would to anyone, Jew or gentile.
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