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)
May 18, 2025
Kabbalah Meets the Dalai Lama
May 11, 2025
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
May 4, 2025
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.
Neither Peacenik nor Kahanist
April 26, 2025
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.
Israel & Gaza: Separating Fact from Fiction
April 14, 2025
From Destruction to Rebirth
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!
From Destruction to Rebirth
April 6, 2025
How Low Will the Antisemites Go?
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.
How Low Will the Antisemites Go?
March 30, 2025
Never Mirror the Darkness We Oppose
Never Mirror the Darkness We Oppose
March 23, 2025
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
March 16, 2025
Queen Esther's Legacy of Faith
(AI generated image via Gemini)
Queen Esther's Legacy of Faith
March 9, 2025
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.
The Eternal War With Amalek
March 2, 2025
Our Father in Heaven and On Earth
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
February 23, 2025
Dear Ariel and Kfir
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
February 16, 2025
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
February 9, 2025
Gaza: Refugee Wasteland to International Riviera
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Gaza: From Refugee Wasteland to International Riviera."
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
January 26, 2025
Kahane Was Right About at Least One Thing
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.
Kahane Was Right About at Least One Thing
January 19, 2025
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.
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
January 9, 2025
A Day Is Coming: One G-d, One World
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
January 1, 2025
Reconciling with Germany
(AI generated image via Gemini)
Reconciling with Germany
December 26, 2024
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
December 22, 2024
If You Can't Beat Them, Blame Them
(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