There is a final problem that will likely become even more contentious in the future, that of the question of the policies of the Israeli government in relation to Jewish national identity. One can certainly love America and not support the policies of the current administration, but support for Israel's ruling party is often conjoined with supporting Israel in the popular imagination, because of Israel's threatened identity in the Middle East. Defining Judaism in terms of support for Israel can be a slippery slope as well. Even defining Judaism in terms of social justice and liberal political values can itself...

Seeing Malkin work through these questions is an interesting exercise, even if one does not agree with all of his answers. Malkin's determination to make scrutiny and self-examination part of the Jewish tradition and Israel's national identity is profoundly spiritually inspiring, even when done in the spirit of secularism.