Discovering T’fillin—and Jewish Spirituality

Dec. 31 2015

Escorting some family members on visit to the Western Wall, Liel Leibovitz succumbed to an invitation from a stranger to don phylacteries—and unexpectedly experienced a sublime moment. Thereafter he began to perform the ritual regularly. He writes:

Every morning, for months now, I rise, wrap the straps around my arm and over my head, read the prayers, and fret: am I doing this right? Is the ritual’s force diminished by my disregard of so many other commandments? Can I truly clear my heart and my mind as I pray and maintain the purity of intention one desires when attempting to converse with the heavens? These are deep questions, and I’ve got no good answers. I put them on, even though I don’t fully understand why.

Which, it turns out, is more or less the point. . . .

[A]s I stood at my breakfast table, morning after morning, with the velvety t’fillin pouch at hand, I found understanding slowly trickling in. Not, mind you, of any divine mysteries, or of any hidden spiritual realms previously inaccessible; these will come later, if they come at all. What I . . . felt—what I continue to feel—is a sense of realignment, slight but ever so important. When I leave the house now, I do it after having surveyed the expanse of my universe and set the Lord at its center. I may then munch on that cheeseburger for lunch, but even eating the treyfest of treats, I still retain something of the kavannah, the intention, generated during those few moments of morning-time consecration.

Read more at Tablet

More about: Jewish ritual, Judaism, Phylacteries, Religion & Holidays, Spirituality, Western Wall

Kuwait Should Be the Next Country to Make Peace with Israel

Feb. 13 2025

Like his predecessor, Donald Trump seeks to expand the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia. But there are other Arab nations that might consider taking such a step. Ahmad Charai points to Kuwait—home to the Middle East’s largest U.S. army base and desperately in need of economic reform—as a good candidate. Kuwaitis haven’t forgiven Palestinians for supporting Saddam Hussein during his 1990 invasion, but their country has been more rhetorically hostile to Israel than its Gulf neighbors:

The Abraham Accords have reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy. . . . Kuwait, however, remains hesitant due to internal political resistance. While full normalization may not be immediately feasible, the United States should encourage Kuwait to take gradual steps toward engagement, emphasizing how participation in regional cooperation does not equate to abandoning its historical positions.

Kuwait could use its influence to push for peace in the Middle East through diplomatic channels opened by engagement rather than isolation. The economic benefits of joining the broader framework of the Abraham Accords are overwhelming. Israel’s leadership in technology, agriculture, and water management presents valuable opportunities for Kuwait to enhance its infrastructure. Trade and investment flows would diversify the economy, providing new markets and business partnerships.

Kuwaiti youth, who are increasingly looking for opportunities beyond the public sector, could benefit from collaboration with advanced industries, fostering job creation and entrepreneurial growth. The UAE and Bahrain have already demonstrated how normalization with Israel can drive economic expansion while maintaining their respective geopolitical identities.

Read more at Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

More about: Abraham Accords, Kuwait