The advent of the Internet, smartphones, and social media have undoubtedly changed human society, often for the worse. Looking at the ways these technologies foster narrow perspectives and present users with constant reinforcement of their beliefs, Micah Goodman suggests Talmud study as a means to exercise mental and emotional muscles that have decayed through living online. Goodman points to the famous disputes between the respective disciples of the 1st-century sages Hillel and Shammai, and the Talmud’s decision to favor the former:

Why did the judgment of Beit Hillel, [the school of Hillel], become the basis for determining the law? Rabbi Judah bar Pazi said it was because its members quoted the words of Beit Shammai before their own words. Not only that, but if they were convinced by the words of Beit Shammai, they changed their opinions, as recorded in Tractate Sukkah 2:8 in the Jerusalem Talmud.

It wasn’t because Beit Hillel was always right that Jewish law was settled in accordance with this ancient school of thought. It was because Beit Hillel was conscious of the fact that it was not always right. According to the wonderful paradox of the Talmud, Jewish law was determined according to the opinions of those who were not locked into their opinions. . . .

Digital technology’s algorithms feed us opinions and ideas we already have, and in an anti-talmudic maneuver, they restrict our intellectual world to the narrow confines of our own existing opinions.

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.