Ari Abramowitz and Jeremy Gimpel are joined by analyst Bassem Eid to talk about the Arab world, then review this week’s Torah portion.
First, they discuss honor killings and why they have become so popular in Islamic culture. They ask whether it is a relatively new phenomenon or one that has been going on for thousands of years. They also wonder which plays a larger role in the custom — economics or ideology.
Then, they hear from Bassem about whether Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is really stepping down, as he has said many times before, and if so, whether elections for his successor will be held. They also ask about the Palestinian people’s true feelings towards Israeli rule, relative to what they have been experiencing under the PA.
Finally, Ari and Jeremy delve into Parshat Re’eh, this week’s Torah portion, which represents the first attempt in history to create a society based on freedom. They ponder whether this is connected to why Israel and the United States are allies. They also list the eight different levels of charitable giving, and how each helps maintain the dignity of the person in need. The portion opens with the statement: “I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse…” Ari and Jeremy analyze this, and how it relates to Jews and non-Jews in today’s world. listen now