Akiva ben Avraham
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Akiva ben Avraham

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Oct 14, 2019, 11:08 PM
Follow the Blood Money
"Follow the money" is a catchphrase popularized by the 1976 drama-documentary motion picture All the President's Men. The phrase suggests that political corruption can be brought to light by examining money transfers between parties.  In the film, screenwriter William...
Oct 13, 2019, 5:52 AM
The Yom Kippur War and the Kurds
At this time of Yom Kippur, the focus of Israel is upon the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Additionally, the anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War focuses our attention on that conflict and its ramifications in the present...
Mar 9, 2019, 10:22 PM
Dirty Uniforms and Red Pantaloons
Since coming to Israel to live, it is fascinating to notice the soldiers who are educated in a different military system than the one that I am a veteran of.  However, there are some constants that never change and...
Mar 2, 2019, 10:12 PM
The Island of Misfit Toys
As a convert, you have a life prior to Judaism.  Both my ex-wife and I are converts, so this is the case with both of us. When I was a kid, Christmas was obviously a big deal for any American...
May 21, 2018, 9:15 PM
The Haredi Defenders of Jerusalem in the 1948 War
Recently, the head of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party again threatened a coalition crisis that could bring down the government and spark early elections if it does not cave in on the exemption controversy for yeshiva students. Deputy...
May 13, 2018, 8:23 AM
Light ’em if you have ’em. Hack ’em if you don’t
In the US Army, we used to have a saying:  “Light 'em if you got 'em, bum 'em if you don't.”  Obviously, that smoking culture has gone by the wayside.  However, thanks to the help of the Jerusalem Post,...
May 5, 2018, 11:27 PM
Worse Than We Thought
We hear so much these days about fake news. As a historian, I can tell you that fake news is based upon fake history. Real news is based upon real history, the history that politicians won't take the time...
May 1, 2018, 11:31 AM
Modified Rapture!
One of my old elderly clients, Jerry Greenberg, was a Gilbert and Sullivan fanatic, especially when we listened to the Mikado. Once you get into the genre, it is quite funny. Indeed, one can see the direct evolutionary descent to...
Apr 29, 2018, 3:10 PM
A Macbeth play in the Knesset
I guess United Torah Judaism party members in the Knesset have read MacBeth, at least Uri Maklev.  I didn’t know you quoted that along with the Talmud.  Oh, you don’t.  Pardon me if I do. An Arutz Sheva headline I...
Apr 25, 2018, 9:29 AM
The wheels of the bus in the shuk go round and round
Many of you will see from my profile information on the blog is that one of my jobs is as a care giver in the city of Jerusalem. Needless to say, my reasons for doing the work are varied....
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About Me
Akiva ben Avraham is a former community college professor, US Army intelligence analyst and officer, and a caregiver.