Born in 1796 in western Poland—an area that had recently been conquered by Prussia—Rabbi Elijah Guttmacher studied under the renowned talmudist Akiva Eiger and distinguished himself as a great scholar of Jewish law and kabbalah. He also was a supporter of early efforts to rebuild Jewish life in the Land of Israel. Pious Jews began sending him letters, asking for his advice or his prayers. Thousands of these petitions have survived, providing a unique window into the everyday life—economic, familial, and spiritual—of ordinary Jews. In conversation with Alyssa Quint, Glenn Dynner explains what his study of these documents has revealed. (Audio, 29 minutes.)

In 2003, the Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, spooked by the American display of might in Iraq, decided to destroy or surrender his entire nuclear program. Informed observers have suggested that the deal he made with the U.S. should serve as a model for any agreement with Iran. Robert Joseph provides some useful background:

Gaddafi had convinced himself that Libya would be next on the U.S. target list after Iraq. There was no reason or need to threaten Libya with bombing as Gaddafi was quick to tell almost every visitor that he did not want to be Saddam Hussein. The images of Saddam being pulled from his spider hole . . . played on his mind.

President Bush’s goal was to have Libya serve as an alternative model to Iraq. Instead of war, proliferators would give up their nuclear programs in exchange for relief from economic and political sanctions.

Any outcome that permits Iran to enrich uranium at any level will fail the one standard that President Trump has established: Iran will not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Limiting enrichment even to low levels will allow Iran to break out of the agreement at any time, no matter what the agreement says.

Iran is not a normal government that observes the rules of international behavior or fair “dealmaking.” This is a regime that relies on regional terror and brutal repression of its citizens to stay in power. It has a long history of using negotiations to expand its nuclear program. Its negotiating tactics are clear: extend the negotiations as long as possible and meet any concession with more demands.