Opinion articles that represent the views of the Forward’s editors.
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Opinion Sanctification
In Chapter 19 of the biblical book of Leviticus, in the Torah portion known as Kedoshim (“Ye shall be holy”), the Israelites received a string of commandments that define what we like to think of as the ethics of public discourse. Beginning in Verse 15, we are commanded, first, to “respect not the poor nor…
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Opinion Defining Dr. Dean
Al Gore’s endorsement of Howard Dean this week gives an all-but-official stamp to something that’s been increasingly apparent for weeks to anyone following the Democratic presidential contest: The former Vermont governor is now the front-runner. From a nine-way melee, the race has evolved into a two-way battle between Dean and everyone else. Dean has gotten…
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Opinion Olmert’s Choice
When historical shifts take place before your eyes, it’s tough to pick out the single event that marks the moment of transformation. In the case of Israel’s move toward compromise and separation from the Palestinians, the shift has come in a cascading series of events over the last four months or so. The collapse of…
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Opinion The Truths of Geneva
For all its theatrics, its celebrity cast and high-concept special effects, the “launch” this week in Switzerland of the so-called Geneva Understandings did not usher in a new era in Israeli-Palestinian relations. The document’s authors and architects did not have the power to do anything of the sort. Private citizens all, they could hug and…
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Opinion Changing Georgia
Last week’s bloodless revolution in the former Soviet republic of Georgia is a reminder that change can come about peaceably, even in a region with a history as violent and turbulent as the Caucasus. What is needed is for all the players to rise to the occasion and play their parts resolutely, but responsibly. Three…
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Opinion The Wrecking Crew Does Medicare
In ramming their massive Medicare restructuring plan through Congress in the final days of the fall session, the Bush administration and its Republican congressional allies offered the nation a shocking display of ideological zealotry and bare-knuckles political ruthlessness. The bill passed by the two houses is — to the extent that anyone fully understands the…
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Opinion Beyond the Walls
This week’s ruling by a New York state appellate court, dismissing a woman’s suit against the Orthodox rabbis who allegedly dissolved her marriage behind her back, offers a sobering reminder of the deeper meaning of church-state separation. For all its manifold blessings, for religious communities in general and Jews in particular, our American system poses…
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Opinion Remembering Why We Give
Admirers of Jewish philanthropy like to say that Jews are a generous community. It’s a flattering thought, and considering the vast sums we donate to a dizzying array of causes, it’s not far off the mark. But generosity isn’t really the point. Being generous means giving because you’re a nice sort. We give because we…
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Fast Forward Trump administration Christmas messages emphasize Jesus in overtly religious terms
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