Kabbalah Meets the Dalai Lama

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Kabbalah Meets the Dalai Lama."

In 1990, a groundbreaking interfaith journey occurred when a group of rabbis traveled to Dharamsala, India, to engage in a historic dialogue with the Dalai Lama. This unprecedented meeting, later chronicled in Rodger Kamenetz’s acclaimed book The Jew in the Lotus, became a milestone in Jewish-Buddhist relations. The gathering explored profound questions of spiritual continuity, resilience, and the search for meaning across traditions.

(AI generated image via Meta)

Kabbalah Meets the Dalai Lama

To Understand Israel, Look to Taiwan

  

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "To Understand Israel, Look to Taiwan."

Despite being separated by more than 8,300 kilometers, Israel and Taiwan share striking parallels in geography, population, political values, economic dynamism, and military strategy. Both face existential threats from far larger adversaries and rely on innovative military deterrence doctrines—Israel’s Cactus and Taiwan’s Porcupine—bolstered by strong U.S. support. Their resilience and commitment to democracy and independence not only shape their futures but also serve as fortresses of stability and hope in regions marked by uncertainty and contestation.

(AI generated image via Meta) 

To Understand Israel, Look to Taiwan

Neither Peacenik nor Kahanist

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Neither Peacenik Nor Kahanist."

A popular misconception is that you are either a foolhardy peacenik who doesn’t know how to defend the country or you are an extremist nationalist who promotes violence. The reality is, as King Solomon said, to everything there is a time and place.

 
While the Rebbe’s approach of peace through strength is often mischaracterized as hawkish, Pearl clarifies that it is, in fact, deeply humanitarian. The Rebbe’s goal is to end the bloodshed and foster a reality where former enemies can become friends, in line with the Torah’s teaching to “eliminate sins, not sinners.” He advocated for a rigorous, informed pursuit of peace that upholds the dignity and rights of all people, without succumbing to naïve or simplistic solutions.

(AI generated image via Meta) 

Neither Peacenik nor Kahanist

Israel & Gaza: Separating Fact from Fiction

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Israel & Gaza: Separating Fact from Fiction."

Eighteen months into a conflict marked by unfathomable loss, one of the most disturbing things we see is the reinvention of what actually happened. The terrorists and their supporters spew an endless stream of hate and lies. It is crucial to continue to dispel their myths and hold on to the truth.

Hamas’s ideology of hate and annihilation meets Israel’s resolve to survive and achieve a lasting peace. Amid the ashes of Gaza, faith remains our compass and the Jewish state, our beacon.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Israel & Gaza: Separating Fact from Fiction

From Destruction to Rebirth

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "From Destruction to Rebirth."

As the Jewish people, we have routinely known destruction and rebirth. It is hardcoded into our Jewish DNA that when we sin, we incur (G-d forbid) His punishment, and when we find our way back to Hashem and do teshuvah then we are blessed with His merciful redemption.

This Passover, let us recommit to doing good in this world and in helping to move all our people from the Diaspora to "Next Year in Jerusalem" and the speedy rebuilding of the Holy Temple. Oh G-d, please complete our final redemption and let it be!

(AI generated image via Gemini)

 

From Destruction to Rebirth

How Low Will the Antisemites Go?

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "How Low Will the Antisemites Go?"

We are witnessing a modern-day blood libel against the Jewish people, a perverse and absurd campaign that blames Jews for events they had no hand in, casts them as the architects of all global evils, and perpetuates the tired trope of omnipotent control over humanity. This litany of blame spans centuries—from the crucifixion of Jesus by the Romans, to the tragic yet mistaken attack on the USS Liberty amid the chaos of the 1967 war, to the assassination of JFK by lone gunman Lee Harvey Oswald, and even the 9/11 attacks orchestrated by Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda henchmen. The scope of evils falsely pinned on the Jewish community is staggering, encompassing acts explicitly forbidden by our faith—usury, pedophilia—and even sprawling socio-political and economic ideologies like communism, stretching from Russia to China, North Korea, Cuba, and beyond. Most outrageously, Jews—who constitute less than 0.2% of the world’s population—are accused of wielding dominion over media, banking, governments, and, absurdly, even the weather itself.

Since October 7, the venom has intensified, with Jew-haters hurling charges of genocide, infanticide, and a litany of war crimes against Israel. These accusations persist despite the undeniable truth: the war in Gaza was initiated by Hamas, a terrorist organization that has constructed hundreds of miles of terror tunnels, cynically embedded itself in schools, mosques, hospitals, and homes, and provoked a conflict that, remarkably, has resulted in the lowest civilian-to-combatant casualty ratio of any urban warfare in history.

(AI generated image via Grok)

How Low Will the Antisemites Go?

Never Mirror the Darkness We Oppose

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Never Mirror the Darkness We Oppose."

In that instant, I recognized that our conflict transcends a mere battle for survival and a defense of democracy and civilization against terrorism and barbarism. It is also a profound struggle for our very essence. In confronting terrorists and their sympathizers, we must remain vigilant that in asserting our beliefs and defending ourselves, we do not succumb to their level. I desire to contribute constructively, but I refuse to emulate the hateful and reprehensible behavior they exhibit.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Never Mirror the Darkness We Oppose

One Leg Can Support the Truth

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "One Leg Can Support the Truth." 

Israeli Ambassador Leiter emphasized that this war with Hamas transcends the physical battlefield; it is a fierce battle of words, waged for the hearts and minds on university campuses, city streets, in the media, and across the digital realm. Like the insidious blood libels that have plagued the Jewish people for millennia, this latest incarnation masquerades under the fallacious guise of genocide. Yet, as with all lies, this too shall crumble, for it lacks the foundation of truth upon which to stand.

(AI generated image via Grok)

One Leg Can Support the Truth

Queen Esther's Legacy of Faith

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Queen Esther's Legacy of Faith."

At its core, the story of Esther unveils a timeless truth: no matter the trials we endure, our ultimate refuge lies in our faith in G-d, the transcendent force above nature itself, who wields the power to weave miracles into the fabric of our lives. 

In The Garden of Emunah, Rabbi Shalom Arush illuminates three ascending tiers of this sacred faith: first, the recognition that every event flows from Hashem’s divine providence; second, the belief that all He ordains is for our ultimate good; and third, the understanding that each divine act carries a purpose, urging us to seek the messages He imparts. Our very existence is a quest—a passionate pursuit to uncover Hashem in the rhythm of our daily lives and forge an intimate, enduring bond with Him. This we achieve through an unwavering awareness that G-d is ever-present, guiding every step, and even in life’s darkest trials, He sends us a tikkun—a soul correction—to elevate us to loftier spiritual heights.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Queen Esther's Legacy of Faith

The Eternal War With Amalek

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Eternal War With Amalek."

This is the enduring test of humanity: to resist the allure of ego, narcissism, and the fleeting gains offered by evil, and instead, choose righteousness. Let us stand firm in our commitment to good, recognizing that every act of kindness and every prayer uttered strengthens our side in this eternal battle.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

The Eternal War With Amalek

Our Father in Heaven and On Earth

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Our Father in Heaven and on Earth."

In this week's Torah portion, Terumah, G-d commands Israel to build a sanctuary for Him to dwell among them.

To begin with, if you think about it, what an amazing concept that G-d of the universe wants to be close to His people. As King David proclaimed (Psalms 144:3-4):

"L-rd what is man that You are mindful of him or the son of man that You should make account of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow."

And despite our mortality and lowliness compared to the Almighty, G-d loves his people and wants to be close to them.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Our Father in Heaven and On Earth

Dear Ariel and Kfir

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Dear Ariel and Kfir."

Ariel and Kfir, ages four and nine months, our hearts are shattered. We, your people, have failed you. We swore "Never Again," yet again, it has happened. On that horrific day, October 7, 2023, terror descended upon your beautiful family. You, along with your beloved mother, Shiri, were ripped from the arms of your brave father, Yarden, all of you dragged into the abyss of Gaza.

Ariel and Kfir, your loss is immeasurable, but it will not be in vain. Hamas will not escape justice. We owe you that, and so much more.

(Photo Courtesy of Family)

Dear Ariel and Kfir

Never a Peace With the Devil

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Never a Peace With the Devil."

Neither coexistence nor peace has any meaning or chance when it comes to Hamas’s unwavering determination to “liberate” Palestine from the river to the sea and to achieve their long-desired genocide of all the Jews. In this they are passionately and completely evil and devoid of any humanity, compromise, or compassion.

(AI generated image via Meta)

Never a Peace With the Devil

Gaza: Refugee Wasteland to International Riviera

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Gaza: From Refugee Wasteland to International Riviera."

President Trump shocked the world this week when he said that the U.S. would take over Gaza to level it and rebuild it into the “Rivera of the Middle East.” To accomplish this, the Palestinians would be relocated from a devastated war zone in Gaza to other countries where they would have proper housing, electricity, running water, educational and career opportunities, and medical care.

Many, of course, jumped on this to ridicule Trump and the plan as a forcible displacement of a population and a "crime against humanity." In turn, they ignored not only the global historical reality of refugee resettlement but also the humanitarian aspect of his plan to give the Palestinians a much better life as well as, more broadly, the opportunity to end the cycle of violence and destruction that has been going on for more than a century.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Gaza: Refugee Wasteland to International Riviera

Kahane Was Right About at Least One Thing

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Kahane Was Right About at Least One Thing."

Of course, given the political and humane realities, Israel has always sought coexistence and peace. Israel has repeatedly pursued a two-state solution, from the 1947 UN Partition Plan to the 1967 Green Line and the Oslo and Camp David Peace Accords. Each attempt at peaceful coexistence has ultimately collapsed into further violence. In short, then we must consider that:

If Arabs can live peacefully within Israel, that is to be welcomed. But if they remain committed to Israel’s destruction, then those who refuse compromise must seek another home.

While the pursuit of peace must never cease, a pragmatic mindset considers all logical approaches. This should include the concept of a distinctly Jewish state, which cannot be democratically ruled out of existence.

(Source Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meir_Kahane#/media/File:Meir_Kahane,_seated_(3x4_cropped).jpg)

Kahane Was Right About at Least One Thing

Hostages Will Return, but the War Endures

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Hostages Will Return, but the War Endures."

There is no secret to Hamas's strategy: this ceasefire is merely a tactical pause, an opportunity to regroup, rearm, and renew their terror campaign against Israel.

Thus, the ceasefire is indeed bittersweet. We are overcome with joy at the prospect of reuniting with the released hostages, yet the cost is agonizingly high. The continued existence of Hamas and the release of dangerous terrorists—many certain to return to their violent ways—weigh heavily on our hearts. 

My father's wisdom echoes in my ears: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." As the ceasefire takes hold and we embrace our returning hostages, let us commit ourselves with unwavering resolve to preventing our enemies from ever again gaining such a devastating advantage. Let us learn from the past and safeguard our future.

(AI generated image via Meta)

Hostages Will Return, but the War Endures

A Day Is Coming: One G-d, One World

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "A Day Is Coming: One G-d, One World."

A day is coming, a day of profound revelation, when the L-rd, blessed be He, will reveal His divine presence to all of creation. Every nation on Earth will recognize the L-rd as the one true God, His holiness and unity absolute and undeniable.

In joyful service, we will stand before the holiness, the timelessness, and the infinite magnificence of the Almighty, blessed be He. In that radiant presence, all things will find their ultimate meaning and perfect harmony. We will stand as the blessed children of the Most High God, forever in His divine embrace.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

A Day Is Coming: One G-d, One World

Reconciling with Germany

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Reconciling with Germany."

No amount of time or action can erase the horrific atrocities committed by the Germans during the Holocaust, and I will never fully reconcile with the German people after the genocide they perpetrated against the Jewish people (and to be clear, the conflict in Gaza, despite the sick propaganda of our terrorist enemies is a war initiated by Hamas, not a genocide). However, I will offer a measure of credit where it is due. Germany has, in some small fashion, started to confront the profound evil of its past and is, at the very least, attempting to stand with us now and, I hope, in the future.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Reconciling with Germany

The Medusa Strategy to Defeat Iran and the Houthis

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Medusa Strategy to Defeat Iran and the Houthis."

Israel should consider employing a strategy mirroring Iran's use of proxy forces, extending beyond conventional military support to include infiltration and subversion within enemy territories. Iran has effectively leveraged groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and various Iraqi and Syrian militias to exert influence and conduct operations near Israel's borders. Israel could adopt a similar approach, utilizing regional actors who share common adversaries, while also actively working to destabilize these threats from within.

(AI generated image via Cyberpunk Generator)

The Medusa Strategy to Defeat Iran and the Houthis

If You Can't Beat Them, Blame Them

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "If You Can't Beat Them, Blame Them."

With radical Islamists and their brainwashed supporters, the spreading of fake news and propaganda (like with the Nazis) is part and parcel of their terrorist strategy to brutally and violently take what they want, when they want, including a global Caliphate governed by Sharia law, and to cover it up with an endless series of lies they tell themselves and the world.

(Nazi chief propagandist Joseph Goebbels via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_lie#/media/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_102-17049,_Joseph_Goebbels_spricht.jpg) 

If You Can't Beat Them, Blame Them