Israel allowed her enemies the time to arm to the teeth, resulting in many more Israeli deaths when the inevitable war came. Equivocation on the the part of the Israeli leadership during the period will be their determination.

Its a religion that dates back 6,000 years ago. We live in an age of technology, bioethics, and nano particles - not sheep and leprosy. Its outdated, get with the program.

Dr. - OK but, Rabbi?!

The Jewish dilemma, according to this writer, is defining Judaism within itself, not relying on the threat of the outside world to allow you to avoid the definition. His first example is instructive. By relying o the thret, real or perceived' of a hostile 'antisemitic' world, the Jews have mangaed to 'dwell alone', remainimg within their own insular community and only venturing outside when it served the Jew. After the Enlightenment, when the values of 'all men created equal' and 'equal justice for all' evolved into what is now the modern world, the insularity defining the "Jew" is no longer in force. Zionism, as a political philosophy, was an attempt to hold onto the tribe, but the tribe is no longer seen as either necessary nor desirable. The Zionist ideal of: We will create our own state of Jews only, speak a language dead for many centuries which will cut us off further, and refuse to accept those different within our midst lest Jews become contaminated by thinking for themselves and finding their own individual paths. Therefore the elite, whom the author praises, have lost their standing for it seems they are only interested in maintaining their own standing, not finding any new and relevant ways for Jews to relate to the world at large.

he has no right to talk about judaism if he doesnt believe in it. Judaism is based on the Torah and thats all.

Jews are dumb if they aren't religious or intermarry? Assimilated Jews cannot contribute anything to Jewish life? Where are all the good ole pogroms to keep us religious enough? I think I'm going to Tweet my disapproval.

Israel kind of changes everything... In the shtetl, we were trying to be a people inside of other countries. It's a natural desire to want to be part of a people. It's not a natural desire to want to be part of this artificial, "multiculturalism." Every language is beautiful, and I feel a connection to my ancestors when I speak a modern Hebrew (which I do 95% of the time since making aliyah and learning). Oh and it's so nice, when Israelis quote Tanach, it's the original quote, not some old English crappy translation. If Jews want to be part of a people, now they have no excuse not to come to Israel. Israel is a modern country with many success stories- if you're poor, come here and succeed, and if you're rich, get a business set up in the States and run it from Israel- as if you need to be physically present to be a CEO in this day and age. The other option is simply not to continue to be part of the people. There's something real happening here, and aligning yourself with Judaism is no longer enough- one must align himself with Israel to keep a Jewish identity today.