Tit-for-tat kidnappings by Syrian rebels and Lebanese Shi\’ite gunmen have escalated tensions in Lebanon, where the specter of contagion from Syria\’s conflict is alarming the fractured and war-scarred Mediterranean nation.
The recent Middle East turmoil has sharpened Israeli needs for tangible security guarantees in exchange for concessions to the Palestinians, Dennis Ross said. Ross, President Obama’s top Middle East adviser, told the Anti-Defamation League’s annual leadership conference in Washington on Monday that security guarantees sought by Israel toward a peace deal with the Palestinians were critical, “particularly during a time of change.”
What do all the current threats facing the Middle East — the Hamas takeover in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah\’s bid for power in Lebanon, political turmoil in Iraq and imminent nu- clear weapons in the hands of a radical dictatorship — all have in common? Answer: Iran.
Dear Rabbi Wolpe,
I admit it.
As an Orthodox rabbi, I\’m genuinely embarrassed at the moment.
Judging by the recent goings-on in the Jewish book publishing world, where certain Orthodox authors have been taken to task for their controversial writings and books have either been banned, forcibly censored or book tours were canceled, it would seem that we don\’t have our act completely together.
Not long ago, Jeffrey Gold disappeared from Los Angeles\’ art scene.\”I just buried myself in my work,\” said the 45-year-old artist. \”I didn\’t let people see the work. I was kind of struggling.\”
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