Rabbi David Wolpe | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #520

Theo Von's Podcast with Rabbi David Wolpe

• Theo Von discusses his upcoming tour dates and expresses his gratitude to his audience.
• He introduces Rabbi David Wolpe as his guest, highlighting his influence and experience.

Rabbi Wolpe's Perspective on Israel

• Rabbi Wolpe shares his recent experience in Israel, describing the atmosphere as resilient but depressed.
• He mentions the high level of tension and the constant threat of conflict, emphasizing the proximity of potential adversaries.
• He discusses the unpopularity of the current Israeli government, particularly Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the widespread belief that he mishandled the recent conflict.
• He explains the general consensus in Israel that Hamas needs to be eliminated, although there are differing opinions on how to achieve this.
• Rabbi Wolpe attributes Netanyahu's unpopularity to his prolonged tenure and perceived complacency.
• He highlights the public's desire for change, citing statistics that show a majority of Israelis want Netanyahu to leave politics.
• Rabbi Wolpe dismisses rumors that the Israeli government intentionally allowed the recent conflict to escalate, emphasizing the significant destruction and the unlikelihood of such a deliberate action.
• He believes that people often attribute maliciousness to incompetence, and that it's easier to get things wrong than right. He uses the example of the shooter on the roof during the Trump presidency, suggesting that the security lapse was likely due to incompetence rather than a deliberate act.

The Impact of AI and Anti-Semitism at Harvard

• He discusses the impact of AI on media and how it can create distrust and uncertainty. He believes that AI will further erode people's trust in information sources.
• Rabbi Wolpe shares his experience as a visiting scholar at Harvard Divinity School. He joined the anti-Semitism commission after the October 7th incident, but resigned because he felt the university wasn't taking the issue seriously.
• He explains that his resignation became a public event, as people were frustrated with the university's response to the demonstrations and the actions of some faculty members.
• Rabbi Wolpe emphasizes that Harvard's credibility has suffered significantly since the events of October 7th. He notes that even non-Jewish law firms have stopped hiring from Harvard because they don't want to hire students who are anti-American, anti-democratic, and anti-western.
• He concludes by stating that the anti-Semitism at Harvard was not solely focused on Israel or Jewish people, but encompassed a broader rejection of American values and Western culture.

Protests on College Campuses

• The conversation discusses protests that occurred on college campuses, specifically at Harvard, Columbia, and Penn, in response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• The protests involved students and community members, some of whom were described as "hooties" from Yemen, who displayed flags with messages like "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."
• The speakers express concern about the escalation of the protests, which went beyond typical student activism and included disruptive behavior, such as interrupting classes and libraries.
• They also highlight the issue of verbal abuse directed at Jewish students, including being called "baby killers."
• The speakers acknowledge the importance of free speech in college environments but emphasize the need for boundaries and respect for other students.
• The conversation touches upon the financial implications of the protests, with some donors withdrawing their support from universities due to the protests.
• The speakers point out that this is a common practice for donors who disagree with an institution's actions, and it should not be attributed solely to Jewish donors.
• The speakers emphasize that the donors who withdrew their support were initially giving money to higher education, highlighting their commitment to education before their decision to withdraw funding.

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: History and Perspectives

• The speaker discusses the controversy surrounding protests against Israel on college campuses. He argues that while protesting the war itself is legitimate, protesting Israel's existence crosses the line into anti-Semitism.
• He points out that many of the protesters don't speak out against other human rights abuses, such as those in Syria, China, Myanmar, or Sudan. He also notes that Germany, which started two world wars, is not targeted for calls to cease to exist.
• The speaker emphasizes that Israel is the only country in the world where Jews have a homeland, and that this fact, combined with the long history of Jewish persecution, makes the calls for Israel's destruction particularly suspicious.
• He acknowledges that there are complex historical and political factors involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and that many people lack a full understanding of the history.
• The speaker provides a brief overview of Jewish history in Israel, highlighting that Jews have lived there for thousands of years, were expelled by the Romans, and always prayed to return. He mentions that in the 1800s, Jews began buying land from Arabs who willingly sold it to them.
• He explains that the United Nations ultimately decided that Jews deserved a state, especially after the Holocaust, but that many Arab leaders opposed this decision and vowed to destroy Israel.
• The speaker acknowledges that during the 1948 war, Israeli troops forced many Arabs out of their homes, but also notes that some fled on their own or were encouraged to do so by their leaders.
• The text discusses the complex history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the religious and political factors involved.
• It mentions the Islamic law that prohibits giving up land once acquired, which some argue is a contributing factor to the conflict.
• The text describes the 1948 war, where Arab armies attacked Israel, and the subsequent wars in 1956, 1967, and 1973.
• It emphasizes the role of Egypt under President Anwar Sadat in achieving peace with Israel in 1973, leading to the peace treaty between the two countries.
• The text also mentions the peace agreements between Israel and Jordan, as well as the Abraham Accords with the UAE and Bahrain.
• It highlights the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, noting that Israel has made multiple peace proposals that have been rejected by the Palestinians.
• The text concludes by emphasizing the human cost of the conflict, particularly for Israelis who live with the constant threat of violence and uncertainty.
• Rabbi Wolpe argues that the conflict between Israel and Palestine is complex and that both sides have legitimate grievances.
• He emphasizes that the Palestinians have never had a country of their own, and their identity as Palestinians emerged in opposition to the creation of Israel.
• He acknowledges the plight of the Palestinians, stating that no one wants to live under someone else's rule, even if it is benevolent.
• He points out that 2 million Arabs live in Israel with full rights, including voting and serving on the Supreme Court.
• He highlights the fact that the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have their own self-governing rule, but they are still under Israeli control.
• He expresses concern about the situation in Gaza, where the Palestinian leadership has chosen to build tunnels for attacks on Israel instead of investing in infrastructure and development.
• He suggests that the Palestinian people have become "caged" and feel they have no choice but to elect extremist leaders, even though this approach has not yielded positive results.
• He believes that if the Palestinians were to elect leaders who were genuinely interested in peace, the conflict could have been resolved decades ago.
• The text discusses the 2000 Camp David Summit, where Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Palestinians, was offered 95% of the West Bank plus land swaps. Arafat declined the offer, and the summit ended without an agreement.
• The text explains that the failure of the summit was largely due to the issue of Jerusalem and the "right of return" for Palestinian refugees.
• The text highlights that Palestinian refugee status is unique and is passed down through generations, unlike other refugee statuses. This is attributed to the constant cultivation of a "return" consciousness and the failure of Arab nations to absorb Palestinian refugees.
• The text suggests that Arab nations have used the Palestinian issue to unify their own populations, creating a common enemy in Israel. This allows them to avoid addressing internal issues and maintain control.
• The text compares this dynamic to similar situations in other countries, where people blame external factors for their problems instead of taking responsibility for their own actions.
• The text acknowledges the complexity of the land issue, noting that the original UN partition plan was disrupted by the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The text emphasizes that the only way for Palestinians to regain lost land is through peace.
• The text concludes by mentioning the example of Egypt, which regained the Sinai Peninsula after making peace with Israel.
• The speaker believes that peace between Israel and Palestine would be beneficial for the region, leading to economic growth and cooperation.
• He argues that one of the biggest obstacles to peace is the widespread anti-Semitism in the Arab world, which is often ingrained from childhood.
• The speaker cites the example of Ayan Hirsi Ali, who grew up in Somalia and learned about Jews being evil despite never meeting one.
• He emphasizes that this prejudice is deeply rooted and makes it difficult to achieve peace.
• The speaker mentions a historical anecdote about the first president of Israel, Chaim Weizmann, who was asked by a British commission why Israel didn't just move to Uganda.
• Weizmann responded by comparing it to asking someone why they drove to visit their mother in the next town when there were other old ladies on their block.
• The speaker highlights the significance of Jerusalem for Jews, Muslims, and Christians, emphasizing its sacredness in all three traditions.
• He points out the disproportionate hostility directed towards Israel compared to other countries with religious symbols on their flags, suggesting a sense of underdog mentality.
• The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of fairly covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict due to the limitations imposed by Hamas on reporters in their territory.
• He emphasizes that while most people are good, they can be influenced by ideologies to commit terrible acts, using the example of Nazi Germany.
• He highlights the deliberate targeting of civilians by Hamas, including women and children, and argues that this is a result of dehumanizing the other side.
• The speaker emphasizes the importance of the Jewish and Christian belief in the inherent dignity of every human being, even in the face of conflict.
• He addresses the high casualty rate in the conflict, noting that while it is tragic, it is not unusual for wars.
• He points out that the casualty rate is roughly 1 to 1.5, with one soldier for every 1.5 civilians, which is better than many other wars.
• He acknowledges the suffering caused by the conflict but emphasizes that Hamas could end the war at any time by simply giving up.
• He cites John Spencer, an expert on the conflict, who suggests that the casualty rate may be closer to 1 to 1.2, with more Hamas terrorists killed than civilians.
• The speaker discusses the disproportionate number of civilian casualties in the conflict, highlighting that Hamas deliberately places civilians in harm's way.
• He points out that Hamas has built extensive tunnel networks in Gaza but has not provided bomb shelters for its citizens, leading to civilian deaths during Israeli airstrikes.
• The speaker emphasizes that Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar, have acknowledged that they rely on civilian casualties to garner international sympathy and pressure Israel.
• He mentions that Israel has offered safe zones for Palestinians, but Hamas fighters have infiltrated these zones, leading to accusations of Israeli attacks on civilians.
• The speaker acknowledges the suffering of Palestinian mothers who have lost children, but he criticizes Hamas leaders for prioritizing their own political gains over the well-being of their people.
• He expresses hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, citing examples of past conflicts that have been resolved, such as the Northern Ireland conflict and the normalization of relations between Israel and some Arab countries.
• The speaker emphasizes that peace is possible and that he prays for both sides to find a way to end the violence.
• The speaker expresses concern about the suffering in the Middle East and feels that Israel, being a stronger country, should take responsibility for resolving the conflict.
• The Rabbi, David Wolpe, argues that while it's understandable to feel this way, it's not always possible for a stronger party to solve problems unilaterally, especially when the weaker party is unwilling to cooperate or even actively seeks to harm the stronger party.
• He uses the analogy of a parent with a drug addict child to illustrate this point, emphasizing that enabling behavior can be counterproductive.

Jewish Identity and Anti-Semitism

• Wolpe highlights the historical context of Jewish persecution, noting that Jews are a small minority globally and have faced significant threats throughout history.
• He then delves into the cultural tendencies of Jewish people, attributing their intellectual agility and adaptability to their book-centered tradition and history of migration.
• Wolpe suggests that these factors have contributed to the prevalence of Jews in fields like comedy, music, and literature, as they have had to learn and adapt to diverse cultural contexts.
• The conversation concludes with a transition to the topic of anti-Semitism, which the speaker is eager to discuss.
• Theo Von discusses how he and his podcast co-host were banned from YouTube for two weeks for a sarcastic comment made by Roseanne Barr about the Holocaust.
• He expresses frustration about the sensitivity surrounding the topic of Judaism and Israel, feeling like there are certain parameters that prevent open discussion.
• He explains that anti-Semitism is deeply rooted in history, stemming from the origins of Christianity and its separation from Judaism.
• He highlights the historical conflict between Jews and Christians, emphasizing the long-standing animosity and the role of the New Testament in perpetuating negative perceptions.
• He also mentions the historical persecution of Jews, including their expulsion from various countries and the development of conspiracy theories against them.
• He points out the irony of how Jews are often blamed for societal problems despite their significant contributions to science, culture, and literature.
• He suggests that the tendency to focus on negative aspects of Jewish history and culture contributes to the perpetuation of anti-Semitism.
• Theo Von shares a story about a black Jewish man who got him tickets to his first football game. He then discusses the complex perception of Jewish people, noting that they are considered white by the left but not by the right.
• He mentions that over 50% of Jews in Israel are "Jews of color," including those from Ethiopia and Arab lands.
• Theo Von talks about a Jewish woman who asked him to marry her but gave him only seven hours to decide, which he found to be too short of a timeframe.
• He then asks Rabbi David Wolpe about the perception of Jewish success, noting that many of his Jewish friends are successful in various fields.
• Rabbi Wolpe explains that while there is a tradition of literacy and cultural codes within Jewish communities, it's important to remember that not all Jewish groups have been successful throughout history. He points out that many Eastern European Jews were impoverished and that even today, a significant percentage of Jews live below the poverty line.
• He highlights the disproportionate number of Nobel Prize winners who are Jewish, despite their small percentage of the world's population.
• Rabbi Wolpe then discusses the issue of prejudice against successful groups, using the example of Nigerians, who are the highest-earning ethnic group in America but often face negative stereotypes.
• He argues that the success of Jewish people is often met with resentment and accusations of "dirty Jews," despite the fact that many successful Jewish individuals come from humble backgrounds and have become philanthropic.
• Theo Von expresses his own anxieties about the perception of Jewish people in Hollywood, wondering if their success creates a sense of exclusion for those who are not Jewish.
• The speaker discusses the tendency to generalize about groups of people, using examples like "blacks," "Mexicans," "Jews," and "Palestinians." He emphasizes that stereotypes are often inaccurate and change over time, citing the example of Jews being initially denied immigration to the US due to perceived low IQs.
• He expresses admiration for Palestinian individuals, highlighting their talent and intellect, and expresses sadness that their leadership doesn't reflect their potential.
• The speaker believes that achieving peace requires individuals who are willing to challenge the status quo and advocate for change, citing the example of Anwar Sadat's visit to Israel as a catalyst for peace.
• He criticizes the Palestinian narrative of destroying Israel, arguing that it has led to a decline in their land, happiness, and population.
• The speaker acknowledges the complex situation in Israel, highlighting the power imbalance between young Israeli soldiers and older Palestinians. He believes that Israel could improve by demonstrating respect and esteem for Palestinians, even through small gestures.
• Rabbi David Wolpe believes that Israel has not done enough to promote peace and that it needs to take more responsibility for the situation. He cites the quote from the poet Yeats, "Too long a sacrifice makes a stone of the heart," to illustrate how prolonged conflict can lead to apathy and a lack of empathy.
• He argues that the current situation in the West Bank and Gaza is similar to the situation in Europe after World War I, where the lack of reconciliation led to further conflict.
• Wolpe believes that there needs to be a cultural shift in both Israel and the Palestinian territories, particularly regarding the treatment of women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
• He believes that if the Palestinians were to genuinely commit to peace, there would be a chance for both sides to thrive. However, he emphasizes that this commitment needs to come from the leadership, particularly from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
• Wolpe expresses concern about the leadership of the Palestinian Authority, specifically mentioning Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), who is in his 80s and has been accused of corruption and Holocaust denial. He questions whether Abbas is truly committed to peace.
• Rabbi David Wolpe discusses the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the corruption within the Palestinian Authority and the presence of Arab Supreme Court Justices in Israel. He argues that the conflict is not as simple as some portray it, and that it's important to recognize the nuances of the situation.
• He addresses the question of how to maintain friendships with both Palestinians and Israelis despite differing political views. He suggests focusing on shared values and personal connections rather than political disagreements.
• Rabbi Wolpe draws a parallel between the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and political divisions within the United States, emphasizing the importance of finding common ground and fostering understanding despite differing opinions.
• He expresses concern about the increasing polarization and desensitization to violence in society, citing the recent attack on former President Trump and other instances of political violence.
• He concludes by acknowledging the fragility of civilization and the thin line between order and chaos, highlighting the importance of maintaining civility and dialogue in the face of political differences.

The US-Israel Relationship

• The speaker addresses the common question of why the US gives so much aid to Israel.
• He clarifies that foreign aid constitutes less than 1% of the US budget, debunking the notion that it's a significant portion.
• He explains that the US receives benefits from its aid to Israel, including arms purchases and technological innovations.
• The speaker argues that the US-Israel relationship is based on shared interests and values, not just lobbying efforts.
• He emphasizes that Israel is a valuable ally in the Middle East, particularly in countering threats like Iran's nuclear ambitions.
• The speaker mentions that the US also provides billions of dollars in aid to Palestine.
• He highlights the deep historical and strategic relationship between the US and Israel, citing the book "The Arc of a Covenant" by Walter Russell Mead.
• The speaker concludes by suggesting that the US-Israel relationship is driven by mutual interests and benefits, not just the influence of Jewish people in the US.

Conspiracy Theories and Sensitivity

• Rabbi Wolpe addresses the conspiracy theory that Jewish people control America. He refutes this claim by pointing out that there has never been a Jewish president or vice president, and that the majority of wealthy Americans are not Jewish.
• He emphasizes that conspiracy theories are often rooted in prejudice and serve to explain complex events in a simplistic way, while also relieving individuals of responsibility for negative outcomes.
• Rabbi Wolpe acknowledges that Jewish people are often stereotyped and that some people may feel like they are outsiders, but he emphasizes that this is often a result of their own thinking.
• He encourages asking difficult questions, even those that might be offensive, as it is better to address them openly than to leave them unasked.
• Rabbi Wolpe discusses the increasing sensitivity surrounding discussions about Jewish people and other groups, noting that it used to be more acceptable to make jokes about them. He uses the example of comedian Don Rickles, who was a member of his congregation, to illustrate this point.
• He believes that society is becoming too sensitive and that humor is being stifled, but acknowledges that there are limits to what is acceptable to say. He emphasizes the importance of being able to laugh at oneself.

Faith, Community, and Personal Experiences

• Rabbi David Wolpe discusses the importance of community and how faith can foster it. He argues that houses of worship provide a sense of belonging and acceptance that is difficult to find elsewhere.
• Wolpe shares his personal experience with cancer and how his faith helped him through that difficult time. He contrasts his experience with the views of some prominent atheists, arguing that faith can be a source of comfort and support.
• He emphasizes the importance of personal agency and responsibility in the face of suffering, drawing a parallel to the story of God sending help through individuals.
• Wolpe describes his process of preparing sermons, emphasizing the importance of finding a theme and speaking spontaneously. He credits his ability to speak well to a natural talent and a love for the art of preaching.
• Wolpe expresses empathy for the Palestinian people, acknowledging their suffering and emphasizing the importance of recognizing human suffering before delving into the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Rabbi David Wolpe, a fully Jewish Rabbi, believes that the best president for Israel will be the best president for America because Israel needs a strong America.
• He explains that Trump was popular in Israel because he fulfilled a promise to move the embassy to Jerusalem and because he encouraged some belligerence in Israel, making Israelis feel secure.
• Rabbi Wolpe defines a Rabbi as a teacher who performs various duties like visiting hospitals, conducting weddings and funerals, and teaching Jewish tradition and values.
• He shares that his father was a Rabbi and his grandfather was a song and dance man, suggesting that his family has a history of teaching and entertaining.
• Rabbi Wolpe expresses a desire to use his platform as a comedian to convey important messages, even if he doesn't always remember what he says.
• He shares a story about a famous Rabbi who used to go into the forest to find God, illustrating the idea that everyone has their own place to find their purpose and teach what they need to teach.
• He concludes by emphasizing that everyone, including Israel and Palestine, has their own place and hopefully they will find a way to coexist peacefully.