Letters
Letters, Spring 2011
Independence in prayer, Sari Nusseibeh's "state," and the heirs of secularism.
Features
The Stakes in the Middle East
Reformers and democrats are the real hope for a future of peace, liberty, and stability in the Middle East. This historic moment presents the West with a remarkable opportunity.
Israel and the Old-New Middle East
The social and political realities of the Middle East make democracy unlikely. A rough neighborhood may be getting rougher.
Passover on the Potomac
As the holiday of freedom approaches, we explore two haggadahs—one old and one new—from our nation's capital, and think about the "audacious hope" of redemption.
Reviews
Buried Treasure
Hundreds of thousands of Jewish manuscripts were redeemed from Egypt.
That in Aleppo Once
Does the most accurate biblical text belong in the synagogue, or in a museum?
Lucky Grossman
Vasily Grossman was one of the principal voices of anti-Nazi resistance, and a legendary journalist who spent 1000 days at the front during World War II.
Our Exodus
How did a high-school dropout named Leon Uris pen one of the most influential novels of all time?
Begin’s Shakespeare
Memories of Israel's early prime ministers, by the man who wrote their speeches.
The Hands of Others
Many people know of Mufti al-Husseini's SS activities. But how many Arabs shared his admiration for Hitler and attraction to Nazism?
Qutb’s Milestones
A timely look at the intellectual father of radical Islam.
Biblical Start-Ups
A prominent Israeli novelist on novelties in the Bible.
Melting Pot
Joan Nathan's search for Jewish cooking in France yields some surprising results.
Grading Parents
Tips for Tiger Mothers, Panda Fathers, and everything in between.
The Chief Rabbi’s Achievement
Lord Jonathan Sacks is the most gifted expositor of Judaism in our day, and has written more than 20 books that are both learned and very accessible.
Readings
Law in the Desert
Studying the weekly portion with Jerome, Nachmanides, and others, the seemingly tedious parts of Exodus become compelling.
Symposium
Thinking About Revolution and Democracy in the Middle East: A Symposium
Shlomo Avineri, Amr Bargisi, Eva Bellin, Daniel Kurtzer, Menahem Milson, Itamar Rabinovich, Michael Walzer
Since January of this year, revolution has spread across North Africa and the Middle East with such velocity that predicting exactly what will happen next is probably a fool's errand. In this issue, we have asked seven writers to return to their bookshelves and tell us what books, authors, and arguments they find helpful in thinking through the causes and implications of these surprising events.
In Memoriam
Daniel Bell (1919-2011)
In memoriam.
Last Word
Trashing Dictatorship in Cairo
Tahrir Square isn't the only thing Egypt's democrats need to clean up before democracy takes hold in their country.
Past Issues
Issue No. 58
Summer 2024
Issue No. 57
Spring 2024
Issue No. 56
Winter 2024
Issue No. 55