Shawn Ruby

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Jul 13, 2015, 3:54 PM

A letter to my daughter as she joins the IDF

Internalize the military culture of excellence and service and, when possible, resist the warrior creed

Jul 27, 2014, 5:54 AM

War-footing Patrol: Late Night Thoughts

Last time I wrote about being on patrol, it was just after Operation Pillar of Defense. Tonight, as my friends fight Operation Protective Edge, I am again patrolling the Kibbutz fence. My partner, once again, is Dovie – who...

Nov 27, 2013, 12:10 PM

Chamberlain or Reagan?

The Obama administration's decision to pursue and sign an agreement with Iran on halting their development of nuclear weapons capability has not been popular in Israel. In addition to the government pronouncements, the news (and my Facebook feed) has...

Oct 24, 2013, 9:41 PM

Parshat Chayei Sarah: The Reasons We Choose, The Reasons We Are Chosen

Elections are on our minds this week as most of Israel went to the polls to choose their municipal governments. For reasons I do not fully understand, my local council elections have been postponed to December, so I did...

Oct 19, 2013, 11:15 PM

Parshat VaYera: Three Challenges, Three Awakenings, Three Rescues

Three times in this week’s parsha, Abraham is challenged with a moral dilemma, escalating in intensity, demanding a response. Three times, he awakens to a morning where he must face his decision and part from a loved one. Three...

Jan 4, 2013, 3:30 PM

Shemot: Telescoped time and making things worse before they get better

One of my oldest friends held a bar mitzvah celebration for his son last night. It seems like just yesterday I was driving overnight from Boston to New York to attend his brit mila, and now here he was...

Dec 27, 2012, 11:49 PM

VaYechi: Seeing our children

Parshat VaYechi is the slow denouement of Breishit. The crisis among the brothers is resolved, and the family is safe from famine in Egypt. The parsha focuses on less dramatic events: the deaths of Jacob and Joseph, and...

Dec 26, 2012, 9:12 PM

No peace from the right this time

Four years ago, before the last election, one could have made an argument that a center-right government was more able to make peace than a leftist one. A right-wing government could more easily sell a peace agreement to the...

Dec 21, 2012, 10:24 AM

VaYigash: Judah’s transformation

Parshat VaYigash marks the climax of the story of Joseph and his brothers. At the end of last week's cliffhanger, we are left wondering how the brothers will resolve the crisis Joseph has put before them. Will they...

Dec 14, 2012, 3:23 PM

Miketz: Joseph, the first Keynesian?

I can just picture the Egyptian Fox News ticker: "Pharoah appoints foreign-born Viceroy. Phony famine fears will drive taxes through the roof, killing off the years of plenty." The modern Republican party would never have agreed to Joseph's plan. Even...

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About Me

Shawn Ruby is a recent refugee from Israeli hi-tech, launching a new career in Rabbinics and education. He is a veteran immigrant to Israel from Canada, via the US. He is married with 3 children. Older blog posts at kolhaadam.blogspot.com.