The Ten Utterances

Here is my latest conversation with Rabbi Joseph Edelheit.

We discussed this piece on the public posting of the Ten Utterances:

A Christian Nationalist America: U

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Show Notes

Summary

The conversation between Jason Micheli and Rabbi Prof. Joseph Edelheit covers various topics including dialogue in Ireland, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Christian nationalism, the Ten Commandments, and the future of US-Israel relations. The conversation highlights the challenges of engaging in dialogue when there are deep ideological differences and the importance of critical thought and conversation in addressing complex issues. It also explores the nuances of religious values and the need for a broader understanding of scripture. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the division within the American Jewish community and the potential impact of the upcoming election. In this conversation, Rabbi Prof. Joseph Edelheit and Jason Micheli discuss the current political climate and its impact on society. They express concern about the potential deepening of extremes and the lack of leadership values displayed by both Trump and Biden. They question how future generations will view these leaders and the choices made during this time. They also discuss the division within the American Jewish community and the implications of a second Trump term for Ukraine. They explore the fragility of institutions, the role of religion in offering consolation, and the disillusionment and rage felt by many. They emphasize the importance of critical thinking, honesty, and accountability in leadership and the need for meaningful conversations to address these issues.

Takeaways

• Engaging in dialogue can be challenging when there are deep ideological differences

• Critical thought and conversation are essential in addressing complex issues

• Religious values should be understood in a broader context and not imposed on others

• The American Jewish community is divided and facing uncertainty

• The upcoming election may have implications for US-Israel relations A second Trump presidency may deepen extremes and lead to more isolation, marginalization, fear, and loneliness.

• Both Trump and Biden have shown a lack of leadership values, which raises questions about their suitability to lead future generations.

• The American Jewish community is divided and requires careful and critical conversations to address the divisions.

• The fragility of institutions and the disillusionment and rage felt by many highlight the need for honest and accountable leadership.

• Religion should offer consolation and translate the eternal into immediate action, but the current leaders are not fulfilling this role.

• There is a need for critical thinking, meaningful conversations, and a focus on values such as honesty and accountability in leadership.

Sound Bites

• "How do you engage in conversation when the two worlds in which each of you come from have nothing to do with each other?"

• "Even if we could get back to the deist clockmaker god of Thomas Jefferson, that's still not a Christian god."

• "You want religious values taught. Who's under whose authority?"

• "A second Trump presidency will in fact deepen the extremes."

• "Critical thinkers are going to demand of each other. So you chose to use transactional values. You chose silence."

• "The Ukraine circumstance, very different than the Israel, finish what you're doing and be done with it."