The Season of Reckoning

9 snips

Sep 22, 2025

The hosts dive into the ethical dilemmas surrounding unconditional love for Israel amid the prolonged Gaza conflict. They explore the complexity of maintaining moral integrity without compromising national loyalty. The discussion highlights the concept of the 'troubled committed'—those grappling with intense loyalty while voicing moral concerns. Key topics include the sacrifices of soldiers, the plight of civilians, and the implications of potential ceasefire decisions. They argue for the importance of candid dialogue and creating space for honest introspection.

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INSIGHT

Moral Credibility Sustains Strength

Yossi argues that Israel's strength depends on its moral credibility with friends, children, and the diaspora.
He views public self-reckoning as spiritually protective and essential for legitimacy.

ADVICE

Drop Defensive Framing To Critique Clearly

Yossi recommends shedding defensive framing to voice a morally self-confident critique of Israel during war.
He practiced this by removing defensive arguments and presenting a direct, anguished reckoning.

INSIGHT

Troubled Commitment Is Vital To Belonging

Donniel defines the 'troubled committed' as Jews who love Israel yet remain morally uneasy and reflective.
He warns that silencing their doubts risks pushing them toward disengagement or leaving.

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Can we maintain the highest ethical standards without betraying national solidarity?

As the war in Gaza surpasses 700 days and the High Holidays approach, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi explore what it means to love Israel unconditionally while grappling with the challenges of moral responsibility during time of war. They discuss maintaining ethical credibility while under attack and advocate making space for the "troubled committed"—Jews who refuse to choose between loyalty and ethics—concluding that the hardest questions often come from the place of deepest love.

From the episode:

“Our season of reckoning: Israel’s moral crossroads in Gaza” by Yossi Klein Halevi, Times of Israel

“The Troubled and the Committed” by Liel Leibovitz, Tablet Magazine

“Liberal Zionism and the Troubled Committed” by Donniel Hartman, Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas, Fall 2021

As the Gaza war reaches day 703 and the High Holidays approach, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi wrestle with the challenge of moral reflection in wartime after a painful week. How do you maintain ethical standards without betraying solidarity?

They address soldiers’ sacrifices, the fate of hostages, Gazan civilians, and the stakes of a potential ceasefire decision, exploring what it means to love Israel unconditionally while grappling with difficult moral questions. They discuss the "troubled committed" - Jews who refuse to choose between loyalty and ethics, and why making space for their voices strengthens rather than weakens support for Israel.

A raw, honest conversation about maintaining ethical credibility while under attack, and why the hardest questions often come from the deepest love.

From the episode:

“Our season of reckoning: Israel’s moral crossroads in Gaza” by Yossi Klein Halevi, Times of Israel

“The Troubled and the Committed” by Liel Leibovitz, Tablet Magazine

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Yossi’s article: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/our-season-of-reckoning-israels-moral-crossroads-in-gaza/
Tablet Article: https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/uja-gaza-donation-troubled-committed-liel-leibovitz

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