Every week, parshaoftheweek.com brings you a rich selection of material on parshat hashavua, the weekly portion traditionally read in synagogues all over the world. Using both classic and contemporary material, we take a look at these portions in a fresh way, relating them to both ancient Jewish concerns as well as cutting-edge modern issues and topics. We also bring you material on the Jewish holidays, as well as insights into life cycle rituals and events...
As someone trying his best to speak reasonably and sensibly about Israel, I am often accused of a whole litany of high crimes and misdemeanors. One recurring accusation is that I am guilty of what-about-ism – deflecting ostensibly legitimate criticism of Israel by, in effect, saying “look over there”, at the horrors perpetrated by other countries around the world, in order to change the topic, rather than deal with Israel’s “criminal” behavior.
I reject this charge. And I’d like to look at Parshat Devarim to explain.
