There are conflicting views about the life of Yasser Arafat. France gave him a full state final farewell. Some say that Arafat was a freedom fighter and a hero, who symbolised the suffering and hope of the Palestinian people. Others are more realistic. They say he was the founding father…
Today’s Greatest Political Dilemma
In the world today we seem to be facing tremendous challenges. There seems to be two types of views the western more secular view on the one hand and the religious fundamentalist dictatorial view on the other. I know that these are sweeping generalizations but for our purposes they will…
The Kabbalah of Defeating Terror
There is no doubt that the greatest threat facing the civilized world today is the amalgam of extremism, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. This lethal combination could one day, if given the chance, claim the lives of millions, God forbid. Perhaps the most frightening thing about this challenge is…
Replacing Fundamentalism…With What
Like most people, I am becoming increasingly disturbed by the reports of bombings, kidnappings and beheadings coming out of Iraq. The cities Falluja and Ramadi and much of Anbar Province are now controlled by fundamentalist, Al-Qaeda style militias. I have asked myself why it is that I am so disturbed…
Is Radicalisation Bad?
Radicals and radicalisation are the words on everyone’s lips. People are trying to understand the process of how normal people become radicalised to the extent that they become suicide bombers. They therefore talk about radicalisation as if it is always a terrible thing. The truth is however that anyone who…
Why Do They Hate Us?
The recent terror attack in London was unique–it was carried out by British-born fundamentalists, not foreigners. After suffering years of IRA-sponsored terrorism, the question people here in Britain are asking is why people would want to blow their fellow citizens and themselves to smithereens in a crowded rush-hour underground train….
Should We Hate Them?
Many of us are not quite sure how to react towards terrorists who have no qualms about killing huge numbers of people. Should we feel sorry for them because manipulative, demagogic religious leaders have indoctrinated them into these acts of killing? Or should we hate them for the terror, fear…
Cartoon Riots and An Interfaith Dialog
This week in Lahore, Pakistan, religious parties protesting the publication of caricatures of Prophet Muhammad by various European newspapers ransacked a McDonald’s outlet and set fire to the outlets of KFC and a foreign cellular service provider. Demonstrators also burned vehicles and about 2,000 sat near the Punjab Assembly, followed…
Should We Mourn The Pope
Pope John Paul II (1978 – 2005) was the leader of the Catholic Church and I am a rabbi. His fundamental beliefs were completely foreign to the religion I follow. Yet, I must confess that when I finally learnt that the Pope had passed away I felt a sense of…
We Must Learn From Children
The prophet Malachi (3:24) prophesised about the day when “he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children,” a recent experience in a London state primary school made me yearn for the fulfilment of this prophecy. I was invited to talk to children in a state school regarding…