The Revolution and the Civil War are arguably America’s two great formative moments. It is therefore noteworthy that both struggles for liberation were deeply informed by the biblical story of the Exodus, which Jews will commemorate this evening and for the week that follows. In conversation with Bari Weiss, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik explores this connection, its echoes in the cold war and the civil-rights movement, and its effects on the warm welcome Jews have received in the United States. Weiss and Soloveichik also observe the dangers Jews face in an America that is rapidly forgetting its biblical roots. (Audio, 1 hour.)

Yesterday, the Iranian foreign minister flew to Geneva to meet with European diplomats. President Trump, meanwhile, indicated that cease-fire negotiations might soon begin with Iran, which would presumably involve Tehran agreeing to make concessions regarding its nuclear program, while Washington pressures Israel to halt its military activities. According to Israeli media, Iran already began putting out feelers to the U.S. earlier this week. Aviram Bellaishe considers the purpose of these overtures:

The regime’s request to return to negotiations stems from the principle of deception and delay that has guided it for decades. Iran wants to extricate itself from a situation of total destruction of its nuclear facilities. It understands that to save the nuclear program, it must stop at a point that would allow it to return to it in the shortest possible time. So long as the negotiation process leads to halting strikes on its military capabilities and preventing the destruction of the nuclear program, and enables the transfer of enriched uranium to a safe location, it can simultaneously create the two tracks in which it specializes—a false facade of negotiations alongside a hidden nuclear race.