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Joseph C. Kaplan

Aug 6, 2026, 11:08 PM

Exchange with a very good friend

A number of friends of my generation who rarely comment on my columns emailed me about my latest, where I discussed my contrasting feelings toward America’s bicentennial and semiquincentennial (“Belated Anniversary Wishes”). Many, including one who actually attended our bicentennial bash, made the point that...

Aug 5, 2026, 8:53 PM

Re’eh: Proper Vs. Improper Intent

Mount G'rizim and Mount Eival. Blessing and Curse. Lishmah and Shelo Lishmah. Grok XAI

I always love when Elul approaches. All the decrees of last Rosh Hashanah that have yet to be fulfilled will unfold in the next few weeks, and so too, all the promises and resolutions I’ve undertaken back then should, at last, be implemented. I...

Jul 30, 2026, 8:17 PM

Ekev: Knowledge

Knowledge Sets You Free - Grok XAI

We’ve been talking a lot about taking the next step in life and not allowing the problems to bog us down and lock us up. There truly is nothing that can hold us back besides ourselves. All therapy methods and circulating quotes are all very...

Joseph C. Kaplan

Jul 30, 2026, 7:54 PM

Belated Anniversary Wishes

I’ve been thinking (which is what I do, per this column’s name) about my feelings toward America’s semiquincentennial as compared to its bicentennial, which I was old enough to celebrate in 1976. (Linguistic aside: I love the fact that 50 years adds two syllables and...

Jul 30, 2026, 6:43 PM

Four Questions for task of Heshbon HaNefesh

This week we begin the countdown to Rosh Hashanah. On July 23rd we communally commemorated Tisha B’Av, the date according to our tradition that marked the destruction of the First Temple (586bce) and the Second Temple (70ce). Many other Jewish moments of devastation, such as...

Stephen M. Flatow

Jul 26, 2026, 5:59 AM

Something Lite! The House Call Is Back—But the Black Bag Is Gone

The Doctor exhibited 1891 Sir Luke Fildes 1843-1927 Presented by Sir Henry Tate 1894 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/N01522

My doctor made a house call! Don’t get excited. He did not arrive carrying a black leather bag. There was no knock at the door, no stethoscope emerging from beneath an overcoat and no request that someone bring over a kitchen chair. He appeared on...

Jul 23, 2026, 9:47 PM

Vaetchanan: The Eternal Strategy

The Path to Peace - Grok XAI

A story would be fitting to start this week’s Parshah thought. A band of men gathered together in their den discussing their plan for the future. Their goal was to topple the government they so despised, but fear gripped them for years and none of...

Jul 15, 2026, 7:27 PM

Devarim: Raw Reckoning

On to the Promised Land - Grok XAI

It’s that time of the year again, where we get to review our status and state. Are we truly thriving or are we just pushing our luck for another week or two? Have we really set ourselves up properly or are we riding a train...

Stephen M. Flatow

Jul 14, 2026, 8:30 PM

Does protesting the draft count as Torah study, too?

Haredi men block Route 4 during a protest against the jailing of draft dodgers, near Bnei Brak, June 17, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/ Flash90)

Here’s my religious Zionist response to Israel’s Haredi draft bill, the IDF manpower crisis, and the tension between Torah study and shared national service. I believe deeply in Torah study. I believe it sustains the Jewish people, shapes the Jewish state and gives meaning to...

Joseph C. Kaplan

Jul 10, 2026, 7:37 AM

I never caught the jigsaw puzzle fever, but my sister is an avid assembler, and during covid, my wife, Sharon, also took them up. Following their lead, I’ll try to construct a metaphoric jigsaw puzzle column, presenting three pieces of events and ideas that I’ll...

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