…the terms of the ceasefire and the status of Hezbollah maintaining many of the sources of its power make it clear that another Lebanon war may be closer than many would like to hope.

…while the new Lebanon agreement holds diplomatic value, it is unlikely to prevent Hezbollah’s entrenchment. Only proactive Israeli military operations, with or without committee approval, can transform this deal from a symbolic gesture—like the failed Resolution 1701—into an effective arrangement.

As has been fairly clear for months now, the proposed final agreement will closely resemble UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the Second Lebanon War of 2006. But Israel hopes that this time, a real international effort will be made to enforce it.

The most notable thing about the news that the Israeli government has no coherent plan to return northern residents to their homes after a cease-fire with Hezbollah is reached is how utterly predictable it is.

The leadership that knew well what Hezbollah’s capabilities were and did nothing and the IDF commanders who knew all about the danger and ease of a possible invasion of the Galilee and allowed us to live our lives while only a simple fence acted as a barrier to defend us, now ask for our trust. “We’ve changed,” they say.

While some residents in the north welcome the possibility of returning to their homes and prewar routines, northern officials have expressed concern about a ceasefire deal that they say won’t guarantee security to the region.

After months of frustrating Middle East peace negotiations, the Biden administration has brokered a cease-fire in Lebanon that will give that shattered country its first chance in decades to regain real sovereignty over its territory — and might open the way for broader diplomatic gains in the region.

It’s still unclear what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to achieve by continuing the war in Gaza or what his postwar plans are, all of which makes it difficult to negotiate an end to fighting. For now, Netanyahu seems willing to let the suffering continue indefinitely for Gazans and Israeli hostages alike.

This assertion of deterrence should sound familiar — it is precisely the argument for ending the war in Gaza. Yet Netanyahu’s government resists this logical next step, clinging to a conflict that serves his own political interests.

Take heart: You can stand for your principles without diminishing others. Some can disagree with you. If they choose to get insulted by your commitment to Israel, Zionism, or the Jewish people – or, frankly, old fashioned, thoughtful, American patriotism – that’s on them, not you.

Welcome to Thanksgiving! If you bring up the war in Gaza or the most recent U.S. election, you will be banished from the warm company of family and friends to experience the cold hard truth of human existence, without even the comforts that gnawing on a dry turkey leg can bring to help you.

This is a multigenerational schism: the younger you are, the less supportive of Israel… as I would prefer otherwise, I suspect that my family’s generational divide is more typical — and more ominous for the long-term survival of the Jewish state. For that, there can be no giving thanks.

…with the kind of year we’ve all just gone through, I’ve been thinking about a flip side to gratitude, one that’s not as cheerful or innocent.

Maybe because we’ve seen so many tragedies this year, it seems as if my gratitude has instinctively gravitated towards the absence of bad stuff rather than the presence of good stuff.

Our last thoughts before sleep and our first thoughts upon waking have a powerful impact on our minds. This may be why Judaism instructs us at bedtime to dwell on the central Jewish creed, the Shema, and shortly after we rise to recite the prayer Elohai Neshama, thanking God for our divine and incorruptible souls.

Around the year 1600, Rabbi Moshe Machir, a kabbalist living in Safed, added a new suggestion that really caught on: In the morning, say Modeh Ani (“I am grateful”).

Judaism teaches us that even amid conflict, gratitude and hope can be powerful unifiers. The Shehecheyanu is a central blessing to Judaism. It reminds us to celebrate life’s moments of newness and joy, giving thanks for the ability to reach this moment together. This prayer offers an important lesson: while we may not always agree, we can still come together to honor what we share—our values, our heritage and our collective hope for a brighter future.

One of the best things about Thanksgiving are the leftovers. Simply give them a makeover for the perfect Shabbat meal.

For instance, your traditional Thanksgiving cranberry sauce can become the star of Shabbat.

Many, many years ago, our friend Miriam Benzaquen posted a sticky date pudding recipe on Facebook. I decided it was the perfect dessert and made it for my family. It was a hit, so I added it to my baking favorites.

Paul Hollywood, you’ve gone too far.

Recently, the celebrity chef and co-host of “The Great British Baking Show” took to Instagram to share a hot take about Jewish food. Namely, that he thinks pickles are “absolutely disgusting.” In the approximately 30-second video shared on @britishbakeoff, Hollywood goes on a diatribe against the fermented cucumber.