One of the most unappreciated ramifications of European ghetto laws was that instead of leading to assimilation and conversion they perpetuated Orthodox Judaism. Yes that’s right, by prohibiting Jews from mingling with their gentile neighbors the state and church helped ensure strong and homogenous Jewish communities that are the antecedents of present world Jewry. The extraordinary advantages that these ghetto communities engendered were not lost on the Jewish faithful. Today nearly every city with a large Jewish population includes a segment of that Jewish demographic that chooses to reinvent the ghetto atmosphere. Precisely because its enables strong centralization of Jewish authority which is, they claim, a prerequisite for high levels of conformity to orthodox Jewish life.
Ironically, for the first time in the history of the Jewish Diasporas a minority of Israeli Rabbis are embracing a logic similar to that used by their European oppressors. Don’t get me wrong, the European gentiles were not faced with terror or the threat of assimilation -Judaism is not easy, and Jews don’t voluntarily blow children up (please see “Understanding the Goldstone Report: Intentions vs. Results”, if you find this assertion interesting). Conversely, Jews have a history of assimilation and Arabs a history of terror.
Still, Israeli Rabbis should not ignore the historical results of this logic. Remember, when the gentiles coerced separation, the result was a resilient Jewish community, and one that was prevented from contributing (their loss!). On the other hand, here in the states, some Jews have embraced the melting-pot ethos and completely assimilated into larger American society. Others have embraced the more modern notion of multi-culture America and have completely maintained their Jewish identity. Regardless most are overwhelmingly loyal citizens who contribute in every way to American society.
So I must ask: are the Israeli Rabbis implying that Arab-Israelis cannot do the same?
Yes I know that America has friendly relations with Israel, and that contributes to Jewish-American loyalty. But Jews in Iran are loyal to Iran despite Iran’s track-record vis-à-vis Israel. The same can be said regarding Jews in Britain, France, Brazil, and Turkey despite their, often, hostile stance towards Israel. My point is simple; just because Israeli-Arabs have reason to be disloyal does not mean that they are inherently disloyal.
I also know that many Israeli-Arabs are disloyal and often involved in the vilest anti-Israeli activities. But even if most Israeli-Arabs oppose Israeli treatment of Arabs in Gaza and the West-bank -and vocalize their opposition to that end-, they do so within the confines of Israeli law. Americans are renowned for vocalizing their extreme opposition to leaders and many American celebrities visit America's enemies (Michael Moore, Carter, Oliver Stone…all incidentally are often associated with antisemitism), but they are not discriminated against and nor should they be.
Yes, if Israeli-Arabs violate the law they should be prosecuted. Yes, I believe in a certain degree of profiling in Israel and abroad. Yes, Israeli-Arabs have yet to contribute in any meaningful way to the success of their host state. Yes, the Rabbis have every right to express their position. Indeed, the notion that separating Jew from Arab will protect Jews from terror, assimilation, and moral decay, may have some merit. But separate housing will never prevent the above from occurring, just look at the Jewish ghettos that spot New York and Jerusalem. Are they free of Arab terror, or of assimilation, or of moral depravity?!
We know that in a fair society true social cohesion is possible. I believe Israel is such a society. Therefore, with all due respect, I must object to the Rabbis’ position.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Poetry with an Explanation:The Path of the LSAT is...
I digress, you know I don't write like this.
It's therapy in the making. The person replaced with the screen,
the lips supplanted by the fingers,
expression exchanged for ideas,
the couch without the love-seat.
But here is the abnormal, please don't hold it against me.
The mind needs time to acclimate, to wake
6 am becomes the time to awake
Never mind what to do you need to prepare your self
To replicate the environment that you will be subjected to
No coffee, before 12!
Why not?
Because you’ll require it to be alert,
and if you drink you will crash in middle of the test
Sit for 2 hours and 55 minutes with no interruption
So that when test day arrives you wont be sedate
My head is expanding my forehead is imploding
You think that choice is correct?
But look the answer key rejects.
I sit there in a room a man barks 5 min, I jump
Three questions left, that’s sufficient time
But the pressure of the clock is hard to define
No alcohol or pot
No mechanical pencils or watches.
Instead,
Salmon, tuna, avocado, and almonds
0mega-3s’ and 6s’ working out with intensity
a simple analogue clock and yellow pencils
I wake in a sweat, the short fat proctor is replaced with my dark silhouette.
No it is not test day but its coming soon, and my dreams are replete with the coming day of truth.
What more can I do, for four years work and 4.03 to boot. But that wont do.
Nooooo, instead a 4 hour test that will help them choose. One man said to the other “the law school looks at three factors, the first, second and third number of your LSAT score”. Ouch!
So I swayed and prayed, practiced Tai Chi and meditated.
I Studied with alacrity and imagined the feeling of Yale calling
No matter what this time I did what I needed to be done,
and far as the result that will remain to be seen.
But the path of the LSAT is...well... frankly obscene.
It's therapy in the making. The person replaced with the screen,
the lips supplanted by the fingers,
expression exchanged for ideas,
the couch without the love-seat.
But here is the abnormal, please don't hold it against me.
The mind needs time to acclimate, to wake
6 am becomes the time to awake
Never mind what to do you need to prepare your self
To replicate the environment that you will be subjected to
No coffee, before 12!
Why not?
Because you’ll require it to be alert,
and if you drink you will crash in middle of the test
Sit for 2 hours and 55 minutes with no interruption
So that when test day arrives you wont be sedate
My head is expanding my forehead is imploding
You think that choice is correct?
But look the answer key rejects.
I sit there in a room a man barks 5 min, I jump
Three questions left, that’s sufficient time
But the pressure of the clock is hard to define
No alcohol or pot
No mechanical pencils or watches.
Instead,
Salmon, tuna, avocado, and almonds
0mega-3s’ and 6s’ working out with intensity
a simple analogue clock and yellow pencils
I wake in a sweat, the short fat proctor is replaced with my dark silhouette.
No it is not test day but its coming soon, and my dreams are replete with the coming day of truth.
What more can I do, for four years work and 4.03 to boot. But that wont do.
Nooooo, instead a 4 hour test that will help them choose. One man said to the other “the law school looks at three factors, the first, second and third number of your LSAT score”. Ouch!
So I swayed and prayed, practiced Tai Chi and meditated.
I Studied with alacrity and imagined the feeling of Yale calling
No matter what this time I did what I needed to be done,
and far as the result that will remain to be seen.
But the path of the LSAT is...well... frankly obscene.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Yale Law II: Do You Believe in a Higher Power?
In applying to Yale law school I was required to submit a 250 word essay on any give topic. Below is the second essay amongst the three finalists:
Do you believe in a higher power?
Why?
If you believe in a higher power and were never asked why, then you may consider asking yourself this, ostensibly, simple question. That is, of course, if you accept the premise that one can sustain ones beliefs only if one strives to understand ones beliefs. That said, I recently asked myself why do I believe in a higher power?
After much thought I respond to the question of why, with the Marxian conception of religion as a crutch ("Die Religion…ist das Opium des Volkes" ). However, the term “crutch” is value neutral and need not have negative connotations. Instead it could invoke the same positive regard that “leaning on family” carries. Framed as such, belief in a higher power can play an important role in an individual’s emotional and physiological equilibrium.
Yet the analogy between one purpose of family (to lean on) and belief in a higher power (a crutch) goes far beyond reconfiguring common held interpretations. Indeed, the degree of one’s relationship with one’s family in times of calm can determine the extent that one can lean on family in time of need. So to the degree that belief in a higher power can serve as a crutch is correlated with ones connection with that higher power in times of stability. In other words, for belief in a higher power to serve as a reliable crutch, one may need to invest, develop, and maintain a relationship before the crutch is needed.
Do you believe in a higher power?
Why?
If you believe in a higher power and were never asked why, then you may consider asking yourself this, ostensibly, simple question. That is, of course, if you accept the premise that one can sustain ones beliefs only if one strives to understand ones beliefs. That said, I recently asked myself why do I believe in a higher power?
After much thought I respond to the question of why, with the Marxian conception of religion as a crutch ("Die Religion…ist das Opium des Volkes" ). However, the term “crutch” is value neutral and need not have negative connotations. Instead it could invoke the same positive regard that “leaning on family” carries. Framed as such, belief in a higher power can play an important role in an individual’s emotional and physiological equilibrium.
Yet the analogy between one purpose of family (to lean on) and belief in a higher power (a crutch) goes far beyond reconfiguring common held interpretations. Indeed, the degree of one’s relationship with one’s family in times of calm can determine the extent that one can lean on family in time of need. So to the degree that belief in a higher power can serve as a crutch is correlated with ones connection with that higher power in times of stability. In other words, for belief in a higher power to serve as a reliable crutch, one may need to invest, develop, and maintain a relationship before the crutch is needed.
Has Russia Finally Chosen Israel and the West?
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev recent confirmation that he will be visiting Israel in January may have serious implications for Israel, the region, and international relations.
First and foremost, it signifies a choice has been made by Russia regarding who it wishes to ally itself with in the middle-east. The origins of this choice hails back to 2005 when, then, Russian president Vladimir Putin became the first Russian head of state to visit Israel. But Putin was also dealing heavily with Israel’s and the Wests opponents. Indeed, since that 2005 visit Russia has built a permanent navy base in Syria and has been the main supplier, after North Korea, of nuclear know-how to Iran.
Through 2007, the Putin led Russia seemed to be leaning towards choosing Iran/Syria. This choice was made easier by Bush’s aggressive push for missile defense in Russia’s historic sphere of Influence -Poland and Ukraine. Russia was also pushed towards Iran/Syria by the revelations that followed the 2007 Georgian-Russian war. Russia discovered that tiny Georgia was fielding superior Israeli weapons (small arms and UAV‘s), and that Israel had trained Georgian commandos. However the Obama’s reset initiative, which included revising missile defense in conjunction with the election of a more modern thinking Medvedev, spurred Russia to reevaluate its Middle Eastern strategy.
The fruits of the last two years have evidently ripened as evidenced by the Russian president’s announcement to visit Israel. According to Debka.com the agenda will include:
1. Acquiring a billion dollars in Israeli UAV technology in exchange for a long term commitment to not sell advanced technology, like the S-300 air-defense system to Iran and Syria.
2. To not instinctively support unconditional Palestinian demands, .
3. To involve itself, along with Greece, in the process of developing and distributing, the three major oil/gas fields recently discovered off the cost of Israel, which some estimate to have over 30 trillion cubic feet of retrievable oil/gas.
From Israel’s perspective this is great news and a long awaited development because:
1. It seriously undermines Israel’s enemies in the region which history has shown is a prerequisite for peace. For example, it was only after Soviet backed Eygpt and Syria were defeated in the Yom Kippur war that Egyptian president Sadat was amenable to replacing Soviet arms with American dollars and peace with Israel. There is reason to believe that an Iran without the backing of Russia (and hopefully soon China) is an Iran that will open its eyes to peace through peace.
2. Russia’s acceptance of Israel reflects a Russia that is willing to deal rationally with reality; Israel is currently the most stable power in the Middle East- not Iran, Turkey, or the Arabs. (I know some of my Turkish friend may disagree, but Israel has a track-record that does not include a coup every 20 years and does include unwavering support for its friends, despite changes in political power, Turkey does not). This is always good for an Israel that is so often the target of irrational behavior.
3. The very fact that Russia, a long term opponent of Israel is reaching out to Israel is a sign of the times. Namely, rational and forward thinking countries want to be Israel’s friend, not because of some Zionist conspiracy but because Israel has so much to offer. China, a relatively pragmatic nation, has long attempted to establish a special relationship with Israel. But Israel, in its commitment to its closest ally America has “politely” rebuffed these efforts. For example in 2002 Israel violated a 2 billion dollar contract to upgrade Chinese military platforms over objections by America. Russia, like China, wants access to Israel.
Yet Russia’s realignment implies more than just an attempt to access Israel’s intellectual treasures.
Some have interpreted it as a strategic attempt at capitalizing on America’s failures in the region.
Indeed, if wikileaks has exposed anything it is that Obama is misguided, however well-intentioned, in his efforts to force an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord. Pressure on Israel inevitably strengthens Israel’s enemies by keeping Israel on the defensive, unable to leverage its formidable offensive apparatus. But these enemies, led by Iran, are perceived by everyone in the region excluding Turkey and Syria, as the most immediate threat to regional stability. Thus Russia, sees an Obama led administration as shooting itself in the foot, and wants to access the growing feeling in the Israeli and Arab political establishment that America is not as trustworthy an ally as it should be. Conversely, Russia is seen as capable of seriously undermining Iran by putting pressure on China, and halting its nuclear support to Iran.
The far-left and, some in, the far-right in the West may refuse to acknowledge this but Israel’s hegemonic military power is the stabilizing force in the middle-east and Israel’s allies benefit immensely from its position, not the cause of conflict. Russia has come to terms with this just as an Obama led America is moving away from this truth.
I don’t necessarily accept that Russia is attempting to replace America; it is also possible that Russia is coming to terms with its international responsibility, namely, to play a positive role in world affairs. From this perspective, Russia is a rational state that seeks to contribute positively in a way that maximizes its own benefit, and is developing stronger ties with other nations that wish the same –like Israel. This has the tacit effect of moving Russia away from failed ideologies that emanate from the rape-filled prisons of Iran and other such negative state-actors that seem to gravitate towards anti-Israel rhetoric/alliances.
Likewise, Russia may align itself with Israel and by proxy America in order to reinvigorate a Democratic world-order that is increasingly coming under the shadow of an emerging undemocratic China. In short, Russia -which has historically vacillated between the West and East-, is making a choice to align itself with the West as it is embodied by Israel.
Who knows, maybe the next batch of wikileaks will shed light on Medvedev’s Russia.
First and foremost, it signifies a choice has been made by Russia regarding who it wishes to ally itself with in the middle-east. The origins of this choice hails back to 2005 when, then, Russian president Vladimir Putin became the first Russian head of state to visit Israel. But Putin was also dealing heavily with Israel’s and the Wests opponents. Indeed, since that 2005 visit Russia has built a permanent navy base in Syria and has been the main supplier, after North Korea, of nuclear know-how to Iran.
Through 2007, the Putin led Russia seemed to be leaning towards choosing Iran/Syria. This choice was made easier by Bush’s aggressive push for missile defense in Russia’s historic sphere of Influence -Poland and Ukraine. Russia was also pushed towards Iran/Syria by the revelations that followed the 2007 Georgian-Russian war. Russia discovered that tiny Georgia was fielding superior Israeli weapons (small arms and UAV‘s), and that Israel had trained Georgian commandos. However the Obama’s reset initiative, which included revising missile defense in conjunction with the election of a more modern thinking Medvedev, spurred Russia to reevaluate its Middle Eastern strategy.
The fruits of the last two years have evidently ripened as evidenced by the Russian president’s announcement to visit Israel. According to Debka.com the agenda will include:
1. Acquiring a billion dollars in Israeli UAV technology in exchange for a long term commitment to not sell advanced technology, like the S-300 air-defense system to Iran and Syria.
2. To not instinctively support unconditional Palestinian demands, .
3. To involve itself, along with Greece, in the process of developing and distributing, the three major oil/gas fields recently discovered off the cost of Israel, which some estimate to have over 30 trillion cubic feet of retrievable oil/gas.
From Israel’s perspective this is great news and a long awaited development because:
1. It seriously undermines Israel’s enemies in the region which history has shown is a prerequisite for peace. For example, it was only after Soviet backed Eygpt and Syria were defeated in the Yom Kippur war that Egyptian president Sadat was amenable to replacing Soviet arms with American dollars and peace with Israel. There is reason to believe that an Iran without the backing of Russia (and hopefully soon China) is an Iran that will open its eyes to peace through peace.
2. Russia’s acceptance of Israel reflects a Russia that is willing to deal rationally with reality; Israel is currently the most stable power in the Middle East- not Iran, Turkey, or the Arabs. (I know some of my Turkish friend may disagree, but Israel has a track-record that does not include a coup every 20 years and does include unwavering support for its friends, despite changes in political power, Turkey does not). This is always good for an Israel that is so often the target of irrational behavior.
3. The very fact that Russia, a long term opponent of Israel is reaching out to Israel is a sign of the times. Namely, rational and forward thinking countries want to be Israel’s friend, not because of some Zionist conspiracy but because Israel has so much to offer. China, a relatively pragmatic nation, has long attempted to establish a special relationship with Israel. But Israel, in its commitment to its closest ally America has “politely” rebuffed these efforts. For example in 2002 Israel violated a 2 billion dollar contract to upgrade Chinese military platforms over objections by America. Russia, like China, wants access to Israel.
Yet Russia’s realignment implies more than just an attempt to access Israel’s intellectual treasures.
Some have interpreted it as a strategic attempt at capitalizing on America’s failures in the region.
Indeed, if wikileaks has exposed anything it is that Obama is misguided, however well-intentioned, in his efforts to force an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord. Pressure on Israel inevitably strengthens Israel’s enemies by keeping Israel on the defensive, unable to leverage its formidable offensive apparatus. But these enemies, led by Iran, are perceived by everyone in the region excluding Turkey and Syria, as the most immediate threat to regional stability. Thus Russia, sees an Obama led administration as shooting itself in the foot, and wants to access the growing feeling in the Israeli and Arab political establishment that America is not as trustworthy an ally as it should be. Conversely, Russia is seen as capable of seriously undermining Iran by putting pressure on China, and halting its nuclear support to Iran.
The far-left and, some in, the far-right in the West may refuse to acknowledge this but Israel’s hegemonic military power is the stabilizing force in the middle-east and Israel’s allies benefit immensely from its position, not the cause of conflict. Russia has come to terms with this just as an Obama led America is moving away from this truth.
I don’t necessarily accept that Russia is attempting to replace America; it is also possible that Russia is coming to terms with its international responsibility, namely, to play a positive role in world affairs. From this perspective, Russia is a rational state that seeks to contribute positively in a way that maximizes its own benefit, and is developing stronger ties with other nations that wish the same –like Israel. This has the tacit effect of moving Russia away from failed ideologies that emanate from the rape-filled prisons of Iran and other such negative state-actors that seem to gravitate towards anti-Israel rhetoric/alliances.
Likewise, Russia may align itself with Israel and by proxy America in order to reinvigorate a Democratic world-order that is increasingly coming under the shadow of an emerging undemocratic China. In short, Russia -which has historically vacillated between the West and East-, is making a choice to align itself with the West as it is embodied by Israel.
Who knows, maybe the next batch of wikileaks will shed light on Medvedev’s Russia.
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