Exodus Is about Much More Than Leaving Egypt

Jan. 17 2025

Tomorrow, synagogues begin reading the book of Exodus. Jeremy England attempts to make sense of this book in its totality:

Most of us tend to think about Exodus as a story about leaving Egypt, and not only because of what the word means in Greek or Latin. The epic clash with Pharaoh, accompanied by all the shock and awe of the plagues, is what captures the interest of children each Passover seder. When you sit down and read the book in its entirety, however, you quickly come to appreciate that Exodus is about three interlocking things that are not so easy to separate: the liberation from Pharaoh, the giving of the Torah at Sinai, and the building of the portable, proto-Temple structure known as the Tabernacle.

For a curious reader, it is the last item on the list that seems out of place, as those of us who expect the plot to keep running hot find ourselves mired in the instruction manual to a communal arts-and-crafts project. Specific colors of woven fabric, a dozen different minerals embedded in a ceremonial placard for the high priest, and countless other minutiae are required to erect God’s tent and altar (Exodus 25-28). Relative to the rest of the story and to more obviously ethical mitzvot, how could this possibly warrant so much space?

Fascinatingly, the Torah views the Temple (and its precursor, the Tabernacle) as the stronghold of Judaic particularism that will be needed to hold a certain kind of supersessionist challenge at bay.

Read more at Tablet

More about: Exodus, Hebrew Bible, Tabernacle

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