Leo Strauss
Baruch Spinoza Goes Into Rehab at Yivo Institute
I almost didn't get in. The conference was sold out, there were scores of people waiting for an extra ticket on 16th St. I of course played the press card, but happily for all of us, Yivo lowered the screen in its main hall, allowing the overflow to watch the event on simulcast. read more »
In 1656, when he was excommunicated—"By the decrees of the Angels and the proclamation of the Saints, we hereby excommunicate, ban, and anathematize Baruch d'Espinoza"!—Spinoza was just 23 years old. He had formed many heretical thoughts; and there's evidence that the Amsterdam rabbis sent some informers to draw him out on these ideas. One of the speakers, Steven Nadler of UWisconsin, said that religious authorities regularly excommunicated Jews at the time, for say, theft; but the thief could get back into the community by paying a fine. (And Yivo's executive director noted that Jews in Spain were excommunicated for having relations with non-Jewish women. Ouch).
The Mayor on Mearsheimer
Dr. Mearsheimer
In his speech at the University of Chicago commencement last weekend, Mayor Bloomberg did a most honorable thing, and, in attacking political correctness, praised the University for its support of John Mearsheimer. Here's the quote:
From the University's defense against accusations of communist teaching 70 years ago to its support of Professor Mearsheimer's right to criticize the Israel lobby's influence on U.S. foreign policy, this has been a place where open debate is encouraged and cherished.
No, that's not an endorsement. But at a time when Walt and Mearsheimer have come under unfair and vicious political attack for a brave and important contribution, it sure is fair. I understand from a friend who was there that the line got the loudest applause of anything Bloomberg said. So the hive of Leo Strauss is now a hive of realists. read more »
