Weekly Links November 2nd-9th 2012

A beautiful soliloquy on the pros and cons of making aliyah today

http://theseandthose.pardes.org/2012/11/08/why-im-not-making-aliyah/

What role does science play in determining our basic rights as people?

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/can-neuroscience-challenge-roe-v-wade/

Keeping marriage a matter of choice, and not law, sure seems a long way away

http://www.stateofformation.org/2012/11/why-my-vote-on-gay-marriage-shouldnt-count-and-neither-should-yours/

Arguing that happiness is tied to focus

http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_killingsworth_want_to_be_happier_stay_in_the_moment.html

Why is science a partisan issue?

http://www.rationalistjudaism.com/2012/11/strange-reactions.html