Eliezer Finkelman

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Oct 29, 2024, 7:36 PM

A Colonial Settler Institution

A Settler-Colonial Institution I find it instructive when students, and even professors, at universities in the United States express their judgment classifying the state of Israel as a white, European, settler-colonial institution. As a result of this classification, many of...

Oct 1, 2024, 11:28 AM

Who would rule a Palestinian state?

If, or when, a Palestinian state comes into existence, who would rule it? And how would that decision get made? Presumably, some existing body would get recognized as the interim government of this Palestinian state. The Palestinian people, citizens of...

Jul 8, 2024, 11:48 PM

Honest Brokers Sincerely Try to Help

Mediators working on the hostage situation seek to get the best possible deal to bring the hostages home to their families as soon as possible. Or, to put that thought in different words: Mediators working on the hostage situation seek to...

Jun 30, 2024, 11:56 AM

International Humanitarian Law Applied to Hamas and to Israel

"Is Hamas Bound by International Law? What to Know." Amanda Taub ran a column (in the New York Times “The Interpreter” on June 20) explaining how international law works. Her main points: International law applies to non-state actors as well as...

Jun 3, 2024, 1:42 PM

Antisemitism — from four years ago

If you want to learn about modern antisemitism, it would make sense to interview a Jewish person who grew up among non-Jews, who has had many careers with gentiles of all economic and social classes, who studies history, and...

Apr 28, 2024, 12:21 PM

White Colonial Settler Decolonization

Some of the analysis of Israel-Palestine depend on the classifying Israel as a White Colonial Settler oppressor entity. In that analysis, Israel fits into the category, and so the Palestinians may, and should, oppose Israel “by all means necessary.” ...

Jan 1, 2024, 10:56 PM

The fire hose and the trickle: Humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza

Hamas fighters ride on top of a humanitarian aid truck in Rafah, Gaza Strip, December 19, 2023. (AP Photo)

Hamas leaders explain that the terror organization elected to govern Gaza is not responsible for providing for anyone but its fighters

Dec 17, 2023, 12:07 PM

A Wayward Sheep? What I learned from Prof. Gene Schram about the sheep in Psalm 23

Psalm 23: Some Insights into Reading the 23rd Psalm Dedicated to the memory of Prof. Gene M. Schramm, of blessed memory Many years ago, a Catholic colleague asked me to give a talk to a lay Catholic group about how reading...

Dec 11, 2023, 10:46 AM

Competence Bores Us

Competence bores us. Do not give us any stories about competent people; we won’t pay attention. Really, who would watch a video, listen to a podcast, or read a story about people who do their jobs? The manager who...

Dec 5, 2023, 12:04 PM

Secularism and Peace, Religious Fanaticism and War

Secularism and Warmongering or Religious Fanaticism and Intractable Wars A friend of mine floats the idea, from time to time, that the Palestine/Israel conflict seems intractable because religious fanatics on both sides refuse to compromise. If only people could get past religion,...

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About Me

Louis Finkelman currently resides in Beit Shemesh, Israel. Until recently, he taught Literature and Writing at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan, and served as half the rabbinic team at Congregation Or Chadash in Oak Park, Michigan.