The Death of Moses and the Limits of Human Perfectibility

In conversation with Mark Gerson, William Kristol—after reminiscing about the golden age of New York City sports—discusses Deuteronomy 34:10, the antepenultimate verse of the Torah: “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” Among much else, Kristol finds therein wisdom about the limits of human perfectibility: even Moses, this incomparably great man, died disappointed, unable due to his own failings to enter the promised land. The two also discuss as Moses’ singular act the smashing of the tablets, traditionally commemorated today, on the fast of the seventeenth of the month Tammuz. (Audio, 29 minutes.)


Read more at The Rabbi's Husband

More about: Deuteronomy, Hebrew Bible, Moses, Sports

Expand Gaza into Sinai

Feb. 11 2025

Calling the proposal to depopulate Gaza completely (if temporarily) “unworkable,” Peter Berkowitz makes the case for a similar, but more feasible, plan:

The United States along with Saudi Arabia and the UAE should persuade Egypt by means of generous financial inducements to open the sparsely populated ten-to-fifteen miles of Sinai adjacent to Gaza to Palestinians seeking a fresh start and better life. Egypt would not absorb Gazans and make them citizens but rather move Gaza’s border . . . westward into Sinai. Fences would be erected along the new border. The Israel Defense Force would maintain border security on the Gaza-extension side, Egyptian forces on the other. Egypt might lease the land to the Palestinians for 75 years.

The Sinai option does not involve forced transfer of civilian populations, which the international laws of war bar. As the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other partners build temporary dwellings and then apartment buildings and towns, they would provide bus service to the Gaza-extension. Palestinian families that choose to make the short trip would receive a key to a new residence and, say, $10,000.

The Sinai option is flawed. . . . Then again, all conventional options for rehabilitating and governing Gaza are terrible.

Read more at RealClear Politics

More about: Donald Trump, Egypt, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula