Sunday Reads: Why Erdogan is happy about Trump, Israel’s muezzin law, Satan’s biblical origins
US
Max Boot hopes Trump will realize that ” target=”_blank”>criteria for sizing up the nominees for Secretary of State:
No matter how close a secretary of state may be to the president, and whatever his or her skill as a negotiator, if world events do not produce crises to defuse, or exploit, there is not much to be done that is heroic or historic. Secretaries of state can help shape circumstances. But momentous changes are usually set into motion by events beyond a diplomat’s control…. One hopes the U.S. has the right person in the job if and when those opportunities come along. Given the volatility in so many regions, the Trump administration is likely to face numerous challenges over the next four years.
Israel
Ben Dror Yemini gives his perspective on the ” target=”_blank”>Arabs and Ultra-Orthodox Jews are joining forces to oppose Israel’s muezzin law, which bans loud calls to prayer:
After the bill passed a committee, but before it was submitted to the Knesset, Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, from the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, filed an appeal against it. As health minister, Litzman should indeed worry about our ears, but that’s not why he opposed the bill. He did it because he suddenly realized that it could be used to silence the Shabbat sirens.
Middle East
Eli Lake explains why ” target=”_blank”>President Eisenhower’s Middle East (the first part of our exchange with Doran will be published this week):
The next administration will have to choose which side to take. The superb Ike’s Gamble makes the case that it must be America’s traditional allies, especially Israel, and that any other option—including and especially outreach to avowed enemies of the United States—will end in catastrophe.
Jewish World
John Gregory Drummond explores ” target=”_blank”>“Judaism’s Bard” Leonard Cohen:
In accordance with his wishes, Cohen's body was buried in the cemetery of that same Shaar Hashomayim orthodox synagogue in Montreal, alongside his parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. The ceremony was in keeping with Jewish religious tradition, save for one addition: the lyrics to “You Want it Darker” were read out, including the words, “Hineni, Hineni, I'm ready my Lord.” It was a final reminder that, in a body of great work produced by an outstanding artist, the message was universal—but the voice was always Jewish.