Middle East

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Some years ago I published Rituals of Conflict. It described the repeated ceremonies by which the ultra-Orthodox and Israeli authorities deal with disputes that erupt periodically whenever a rabbi wants to make an issue about the violation of Sabbath, ancient graves unearthed in the course of construction, or whatever else could make a

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Things have never been better for many of us. Europeans are quarreling rather than killing one another. Jews are capable of reaching the top of virtually all professions, with decent housing and no worry about gentlemen’s agreements or restrictive covenants, and safe from plunder and pogroms. Life expectancy and other good stuff

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– Jews have been arguing among themselves since before they were called Jews, or had decided what Judaism was supposed to be. Jews make their arguments the subject of comedy. Anti-Semites take them as one more reason to hate the Jews. Remember that Abraham left home. We can assume that he had

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–It is unwise to invest too seriously as a consumer of political rhetoric. Politicians lie. They must, in order to serve diverse constituencies. Party platforms are designed to up the enthusiasm of those already committed. “Singing to the choir” pretty much summarizes what goes in election campaigns, with parties appealing to their

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Will President Obama’s speech at the National Defense University this week rank with his speech in Cairo that called for freedom, liberty, and democracy, or George W. Bush’s speeches that promised democracy in Iraq and later declared victory? Bluster or wisdom? is an appropriate question to ask of an American president, fated to