Reviewing a new, comprehensive account of the philosopher Benedict Spinoza’s life, thought, and intellectual legacy by the historian Jonathan Israel, J.J. Kimche finds it a work of “remarkable scope, granularity, and analytical depth.” The book, Kimche observes, adheres to a thesis Israel has stated repeatedly over the course of his career about the “centrality and lasting impact of what he terms the ‘radical enlightenment.’” The “radical thinkers” who belonged to this movement

sought to uproot all prevailing norms regarding religion, science, politics, freedom, and the relationship between individual and state. In Israel’s account, it was to this uncompromising intellectual tradition, which demanded nothing less than the wholesale reorientation of humanity from superstition to reason, that we owe the benefits of modern democracy, liberty, science, and human rights. At the apex of this tradition, which Israel venerates as the true genesis of modern civilization, he places the renegade Jew.

Spinoza, “the renegade Jew,” might not deserve quite so much credit in Kimche’s estimation:

Yes, it is perfectly true that numerous important modern intellectuals—such as Goethe, Shelley, George Eliot, and Einstein—lauded Spinoza and acknowledged his foundational influence. Yet it is equally correct to note that the history of modern philosophy constitutes an extensive rebellion against Spinoza’s austere, omniscient rationality.

A more balanced assessment of Spinoza’s legacy, therefore, must note that the Western tradition has decided against his particular brand of relentless rationalism, and has recognized that a satisfactory account of religion, ethics, and politics must include other modes of understanding. It is in this light that even the religious traditionalist could develop an appreciation of Spinoza—when he is read as one important voice in the polyphonic ensemble of ideas that gave rise to the principles and institutions that permit the creation of a harmonious society. Rationality, when tempered by the empirical, aesthetic, sentimental, and numinous facets of the human experience, is indeed indispensable to human flourishing.

In his inauguration speech, Donald Trump put forth ambitious goals for his first days in office. An additional item that should be on the agenda of his administration, and also that of the 119th Congress, should be defunding, and ideally dismantling, UNRWA. The UN Relief and Works Organization for Palestine Refugees—to give its full name—is deeply enmeshed with Hamas in Gaza, has inculcated generations of young Palestinians with anti-Semitism, and exists primarily to perpetuate the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Robert Satloff explains what must be done.

[T]here is an inherent contradiction in support for UNRWA (given its anti-resettlement posture) and support for a two-state solution (or any negotiated resolution) to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Providing relief to millions of Palestinians based on the argument that their legitimate, rightful home lies inside Israel is deeply counterproductive to the search for peace.

Last October, the Israeli parliament voted overwhelmingly to pass two laws that will come into effect January 30: a ban on UNRWA operations in Israeli sovereign territory and the severing of all Israeli ties with the agency. This includes cancellation of a post-1967 agreement that allowed UNRWA to operate freely in what was then newly occupied territory.

A more ambitious U.S. approach could score a win-win achievement that advances American interests in Middle East peace while saving millions of taxpayer dollars. Namely, Washington could take advantage of Israel’s new laws to create an alternative support mechanism that eases UNRWA out of Gaza. This would entail raising the stakes with other specialized UN agencies operating in the area. Instead of politely asking them if they can assume UNRWA’s job in Gaza, the Trump administration should put them on notice that continued U.S. funding of their own global operations is contingent on their taking over those tasks. Only such a dramatic step is likely to produce results.