By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. This week’s parasha, literally meaning, “When you go out…” opens with a description of facing war with enemies. Maimonides tells us that more than seventy mitzvot, 74 if I counted correctly, spring from this week’s Torah portion, from weights and measures and collecting debts in a righteous way, to proper […]
Parashat Ki Teitzei: Refining Our Soul Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Israel Kasnett (JNS) As Israel observes the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, it’s difficult to forget the capitulation of the Iraqi army to ISIS in 2014 or the EUBAM observers who fled as Hamas seized power in the Gaza Strip in 2007, not to mention visions of the United States fleeing Saigon in
After US Withdrawal From Afghanistan, Implications for Israel Look Grimmer Read More »
Middle East, USA
By Dmitriy Shapiro (JNS) Despite international pressure to veto the bill, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed a bill passed by the Polish legislature on Aug. 14 that would prevent individuals with property seized by either the Nazis during World War II or the post-War Communist government from having it returned. The bill effectively ends the
Will Polish Anti-Restitution Law Permanently Harm Ties with Israel, Jewish Community? Read More »
International, Middle East
Published by DPA A massive forest fire west of Jerusalem has been extinguished after almost three days, a spokesman for Israeli Public Security Minister Omer Bar-Lev confirmed on Wednesday morning. The fire broke out Sunday and continued to spread despite intensive efforts by the fire brigade and the use of firefighting aircraft. According to media
Forest fire near Jerusalem extinguished after almost three days Read More »
Middle East
Published by Reuters TEL AVIV (Reuters) – A third dose of Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine was found to be 86% effective in people aged over 60, an Israeli healthcare provider said on Wednesday, citing initial results from a study of thousands of members. Israeli HMO Maccabi, which covers around a quarter of the country’s 9.3 million
Third Pfizer dose 86% effective in over 60s, Israeli HMO says Read More »
USA
By Laurie Baron, Ph.D SAN DIEGO — Donald Trump castigated Joe Biden for abandoning Afghans who helped U.S. forces: “I would never have done such a thing. It’s un-Kurd of.” Most Americans were appalled by the photograph of over six hundred Afghans sitting on the floor of a C-17 Globemaster III except for the owners
Satire: Reactions to Afghanistan Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Published by Reuters By Nichola Groom (Reuters) -U.S. officials for the first time on Monday declared an official water shortage for the massive Lake Mead reservoir, triggering supply cuts to parts of the drought-stricken Southwest, as 10 Western governors appealed for federal drought disaster aid. The shortage will reduce water apportionments to Arizona, Nevada and
U.S. declares first Western reservoir water shortage, triggering cuts Read More »
USA
(JNS) Israel’s economy grew by 15.4 percent in the second quarter of this year compared with the previous quarter, according to an estimate by the Central Bureau of Statistics. Most of the growth was due to car imports. The jump came as a result of the removal of coronavirus restrictions that caused the contraction of
Car Imports Fuel 15.4 Percent Growth for Israeli Economy in Second Quarter of 2021 Read More »
Business & Finance, Middle East
By Jonathan S. Tobin (JNS) For those old enough to remember the images of the last days of South Vietnam, recent events in Afghanistan are shockingly familiar. In each case, a flawed American ally facing a determined foe quickly collapsed once both sides to the conflict realized that the United States wouldn’t lift a finger
The Cost of Disgrace in Afghanistan is Not Cheap Read More »
USA
(JNS) The Hamas terror group praised the Taliban on Monday as the Islamist movement and military organization returned to power in Afghanistan, pushing out the United States and even overtaking Kabul after two decades of fighting. In a statement, Hamas said it “congratulates the Taliban movement and its courageous leadership on this victory, which was
Hamas Congratulates Taliban for ‘Victory’ Over America in Afghanistan Read More »
Middle East, USA
Published by InsideHook By Tobias Carroll Despite the duel that ended his life prematurely, Alexander Hamilton’s legacy on the United States is considerable. Throw in an acclaimed and widely read biography — which, in turn, inspired a musical that became a cultural phenomenon — and you might think that history buffs in 2021 know all
Was Alexander Hamilton Actually Raised Jewish? Read More »
USA
Published by DPA A forest fire near Jerusalem that raged for three days can be brought under control, according to the fire brigade, which said on Tuesday that international assistance would not be needed. Thousands of people had to be evacuated after the fire broke out on Sunday, in an operation aided by the army.
Jerusalem forest fire can be controlled, aid from abroad not needed Read More »
Middle East
(JNS) A joint operation by intelligence units of the Israel Defense Forces, the economic terrorism headquarters of Israel’s Ministry of Defense and the Israel Tax Authority stopped an attempt to transfer funds to Hamas by smuggling large amounts of chocolate bars into the Gaza Strip. According to the report by Arutz Sheva, Israeli intelligence has
IDF Confiscates Shipment of Chocolate Bars Meant to Fund Hamas Operations Read More »
Middle East
By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — With the imminent final withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban is quickly taking control of the country. The Jewish history of Afghanistan goes back at least to the 7th century, with some claiming that Afghani Jews were descendants of the so-called lost tribes of Israel.
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Afghanistan Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire