Thank you Rabbi, I appreciate your writing. Your posts inevitably give me something meaningful to reflect on. You have this wonderful way of connecting history, morality, and current events that makes me see things from a new perspective.
Your post, especially your thoughts on Vav, really stuck with me. The idea of connection—between heaven and earth, past and present, values and actions—feels especially relevant right now. It’s a perspective I hadn’t considered in quite that way before, and I’m grateful for it.
I also share your admiration for the 93 nations that stood with Ukraine at the UN. In a time when moral clarity is so important, their courage matters. That’s why Israel’s vote was so deeply disappointing—it, of all nations, should understand what it means to fight for your homeland and survival. To see it side with Russia instead was heartbreaking.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and for always making me think. I look forward to your next piece.
I love your posts Rabbi. I am deeply saddened and dismayed by Israel's actions at the UN. I'm not completely surprised, as it looks to me that Netanyahu is trying to turn Israel into a far less democratic nation, with his power grab at Israel's Supreme Court, leading to the mass protests, and later, the Oct.7th war.
Like Trump, Bibi has an attraction to Hungary's "Democracy " and its leaders. Like you, I am challenged by Israel's friendship with far right leaders. It never ends well for us. We of all people need to stand with Ukraine 🇺🇦 and its people.
Trumps goal is to turn the US into a Christian Nationalist nation. There's no place for Jews in that picture, at home or abroad. Rabbi, I'm looking forward to your thoughts. Thanks so much for creating such compelling content.
I so appreciate this, Sally. Yes, Hungary has become the gold standard for would be dictators. And the people there also resist in their own way, but it's too far gone by now to revert back easily. Poland did manage to reverse it, and maybe that's a good model for us to follow. Israel has a strong judicial system, still and a very independent press - still - though Netanyahu's current trial is all about his trying to corrupt that. Because the failure on October 7 was so profound, though, he likely would not win another election. Jews around the world are standing with Ukraine, and I'd say most Israelis are too.
Gosh, reading the truth is more frightening than watching it in real time (which I did not)! I’m so ashamed and embarrassed at the thuggery that was on dramatic display yesterday. It’s disgusting. I read you piece through but I’m still left with the inconsolable question of what to do? I’m lumped in with “The Americans, but I’m wholly against what is transpiring. As are probably more than half of the lump of Americans! We’re now, as of yesterday, the bad guys. While rump and lance wreck our global reputation, husk is wrecking our interior government. In less than 6 weeks. Someone or some body must stop the carnage! Move fast and break things. Have you ever heard of anything stupider?
OMG, where to begin! Here: thank you, Rabbi Hammerman, for your extremely valuable history lesson, as always. I never cease to learn valuable facts, often sprinkled with a touch of humor, in your posts. Btw, "Schanda" comes from the German word "Schande," shame - like what we experienced Friday in the Oval Office. I have a lot of observations of that meeting but won´t go into this. Concerning tolerance in Ukraine, the first 2 months of the war I was part of the "welcoming committee" for Ukrainian refugees at our Munich train station. It was one of the most rewarding volunteering jobs I´ve ever done. I was so surprised to welcome so many African students who fortunately could speak English, helping them to get to their further destinations. They were very sad to leave Ukraine which had welcomed them and given them a chance to better their lives through education programs.
Yes, last week there were many Schandas to be ashamed of as an American citizen. And thank you for mentioning "Everything Trump Touches Dies" - I though of this fitting title just before opening your mail. Thank you again for your enriching posts.
Loved the lamed vavnik and tzadi gimmelnik references. Very interesting! Israel’s UN vote is very disturbing. I found out from a cousin that I did not know until very recently that a part of my family was from L’vov in Ukraine. We need to continue to support them in any way that we can. Thanks for the excellent analysis!
I depend on your posts for clarity, understanding and balance.... which is no easy task. Once again you give me a focus and direction to move forward. These are inconceivable times. Trite as that may seem, there is nothing trite about where we are and what we face. Heartfelt thanks is a Huge understatement.
Thanks for your post. The Trump-Vance public temper tantrums toward Zelensky and Trump’s nasty comments about Obama and Biden (see NY Times half-page “Excerpts from the Exchange Between Trump and Zelensky “) as his predecessors brought to foreign negotiations an odd venting of past domestic campaigns.
As for demands for Zelensky to repeat thanks for Trump’s efforts to reach a peace agreement without guarantees or other third-party security, someone should drop a note to the White House, “Thanks, Neville, but don’t seek ‘Peace for our time’ on our behalf. “
I agree, Jonathan, except that I think this does a disservice to Chamberlain. He may have been naive to trust Hitler and seek peace without guarantees. But he was not corrupt and a felon; and not in the bag for Hitler. And he was not facing down a genuine hero. Nor was Chamberlain extorting the Czechs or Poles for their mineral rights. Trump is much worse than Chamberlain ever was. But Vance did sell out the west in Munich, so there's that! Thanks again!
This scene from "Babe," came to mind when JD Vance ordered Zelensky to thank Trump right then and there on Friday. https://youtu.be/JWLJsFcdv0w
Thank you Rabbi, I appreciate your writing. Your posts inevitably give me something meaningful to reflect on. You have this wonderful way of connecting history, morality, and current events that makes me see things from a new perspective.
Your post, especially your thoughts on Vav, really stuck with me. The idea of connection—between heaven and earth, past and present, values and actions—feels especially relevant right now. It’s a perspective I hadn’t considered in quite that way before, and I’m grateful for it.
I also share your admiration for the 93 nations that stood with Ukraine at the UN. In a time when moral clarity is so important, their courage matters. That’s why Israel’s vote was so deeply disappointing—it, of all nations, should understand what it means to fight for your homeland and survival. To see it side with Russia instead was heartbreaking.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and for always making me think. I look forward to your next piece.
I love your posts Rabbi. I am deeply saddened and dismayed by Israel's actions at the UN. I'm not completely surprised, as it looks to me that Netanyahu is trying to turn Israel into a far less democratic nation, with his power grab at Israel's Supreme Court, leading to the mass protests, and later, the Oct.7th war.
Like Trump, Bibi has an attraction to Hungary's "Democracy " and its leaders. Like you, I am challenged by Israel's friendship with far right leaders. It never ends well for us. We of all people need to stand with Ukraine 🇺🇦 and its people.
Trumps goal is to turn the US into a Christian Nationalist nation. There's no place for Jews in that picture, at home or abroad. Rabbi, I'm looking forward to your thoughts. Thanks so much for creating such compelling content.
I so appreciate this, Sally. Yes, Hungary has become the gold standard for would be dictators. And the people there also resist in their own way, but it's too far gone by now to revert back easily. Poland did manage to reverse it, and maybe that's a good model for us to follow. Israel has a strong judicial system, still and a very independent press - still - though Netanyahu's current trial is all about his trying to corrupt that. Because the failure on October 7 was so profound, though, he likely would not win another election. Jews around the world are standing with Ukraine, and I'd say most Israelis are too.
Gosh, reading the truth is more frightening than watching it in real time (which I did not)! I’m so ashamed and embarrassed at the thuggery that was on dramatic display yesterday. It’s disgusting. I read you piece through but I’m still left with the inconsolable question of what to do? I’m lumped in with “The Americans, but I’m wholly against what is transpiring. As are probably more than half of the lump of Americans! We’re now, as of yesterday, the bad guys. While rump and lance wreck our global reputation, husk is wrecking our interior government. In less than 6 weeks. Someone or some body must stop the carnage! Move fast and break things. Have you ever heard of anything stupider?
Thanks, Claudia. It is hard to believe that America is no longer trusted, or respected. And this is after just a month!
OMG, where to begin! Here: thank you, Rabbi Hammerman, for your extremely valuable history lesson, as always. I never cease to learn valuable facts, often sprinkled with a touch of humor, in your posts. Btw, "Schanda" comes from the German word "Schande," shame - like what we experienced Friday in the Oval Office. I have a lot of observations of that meeting but won´t go into this. Concerning tolerance in Ukraine, the first 2 months of the war I was part of the "welcoming committee" for Ukrainian refugees at our Munich train station. It was one of the most rewarding volunteering jobs I´ve ever done. I was so surprised to welcome so many African students who fortunately could speak English, helping them to get to their further destinations. They were very sad to leave Ukraine which had welcomed them and given them a chance to better their lives through education programs.
Yes, last week there were many Schandas to be ashamed of as an American citizen. And thank you for mentioning "Everything Trump Touches Dies" - I though of this fitting title just before opening your mail. Thank you again for your enriching posts.
Thanks, Kim. And bless you for your work for the refugees!
Loved the lamed vavnik and tzadi gimmelnik references. Very interesting! Israel’s UN vote is very disturbing. I found out from a cousin that I did not know until very recently that a part of my family was from L’vov in Ukraine. We need to continue to support them in any way that we can. Thanks for the excellent analysis!
Much appreciated, Scott. Lvov has a fascinating Jewish history. Like so many places in the are, it has been tossed between countries like a ping pong ball. See https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/lvov-ukraine-jewish-history-tour
I depend on your posts for clarity, understanding and balance.... which is no easy task. Once again you give me a focus and direction to move forward. These are inconceivable times. Trite as that may seem, there is nothing trite about where we are and what we face. Heartfelt thanks is a Huge understatement.
Yoour continued support means a great deal to me, Barbara. We keep one another going! Regards to your family!
Thanks for your post. The Trump-Vance public temper tantrums toward Zelensky and Trump’s nasty comments about Obama and Biden (see NY Times half-page “Excerpts from the Exchange Between Trump and Zelensky “) as his predecessors brought to foreign negotiations an odd venting of past domestic campaigns.
As for demands for Zelensky to repeat thanks for Trump’s efforts to reach a peace agreement without guarantees or other third-party security, someone should drop a note to the White House, “Thanks, Neville, but don’t seek ‘Peace for our time’ on our behalf. “
I agree, Jonathan, except that I think this does a disservice to Chamberlain. He may have been naive to trust Hitler and seek peace without guarantees. But he was not corrupt and a felon; and not in the bag for Hitler. And he was not facing down a genuine hero. Nor was Chamberlain extorting the Czechs or Poles for their mineral rights. Trump is much worse than Chamberlain ever was. But Vance did sell out the west in Munich, so there's that! Thanks again!