Monthly Archives: July 2021

That Old-Time Religion

Elliot R. Wolfson writes in 2010 about David Gelernter’s 2009 book, Judaism: A Way of Being: * Gelernter ascribes to Orthodoxy an air of authenticity, implying that all other denominations are weaker or compromised versions of the “real” thing. But … Continue reading

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The Study of Judaism: Authenticity, Identity, Scholarship

Here are some highlights from this 2014 book by Aaron W. Hughes: * In 2007 I published a slim and what I hoped would be a provocative volume entitled Situating Islam: The Past and Future of an Academic Discipline. This … Continue reading

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‘The Cat Person debate shows how fiction writers use real life does matter’

From The Guardian: “It was Graham Greene who wrote that every writer has a splinter of ice in their heart. I think he was right: you have to have it, otherwise you would spend all your time worrying about the … Continue reading

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The Shield

Commentary: The reason The Shield is television’s greatest drama is that it holds to the most basic rule of drama: characters act, and those actions have consequences. Events happen, not to make a point to us, but from what the … Continue reading

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Why do England fans sing ‘Sweet Caroline’?

Report: Neil Diamond’s 1969 hit “Sweet Caroline” has become a favourite anthem of England fans at this summer’s Euro 2020 tournament. The song blared out over the Wembley speakers after last week’s 2-0 win over Germany, and fans around the … Continue reading

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