Face Off
What Jewish tradition and human psychology tell us about the Mona Lisa’s smile.
Friday Flashback — Halloween Reflections
Here are some old thoughts about what is becoming America’s most popular holiday.
Atheists in Bubbleland
In case you missed it, last month the world celebrated Blasphemy Day. This may be just the beginning of a widening schism between traditional and fundamentalist atheists.
Which Road not Taken?
With the leaves turning golden and autumn turning rapidly into winter, I think this reflection on Robert Frost and dangers of routine is worth another look.
Degrees of Separation
Our commitment to the community must be our highest priority.
The Peace Process Fantasy
Jeff Jacoby nails the fallacy of the United States’ approach to Mideast peace, backed up by four administrations-worth of failure.
Parshas Bereishis and the Perfect Number
The number seven is neither random nor coincidental in the pattern of Creation.
Why there won’t be Peace in our Time
This isn’t news; it’s been going on for decades. But that’s just why we need reminding.
Neville Chamberlain failed to understand that you can’t make peace with a megalomaniac. Now Western leaders continue in their failure to understand that you can’t make peace with an entire culture devoted to your annihilation.
Jonathan Rosenblum reminds us how that culture has been cultivated among the Palestinians.
The Politics of Reason
As I and others have pointed out many times, the Torah makes very little of personal rights and places emphasis on responsibilities. If I focus on my obligations to others, the issue of rights becomes moot. Now George Will makes the same observation, with an extra helping of irony.
This column from Charles Krauthammer is a bit dated, but still relevant in its warning against inflating trivial issues and blurring the distinction between substance and emotion.
The Illusion of Influence
What does it say about our society that the most influential man doesn’t really exist? And what does it have to do with the festivals of Sukkos and Simchas Torah?
