A bad deal is worse than no deal: For talks with Iran to succeed, U.S. diplomats need to stick to a set of principles regarding acceptable outcomes and negotiate from a position of strength, write Dennis Ross, Eric Edelman and Michael Makovsky. (L.A. Times)

American Jews need mysticism: A successful 21st-century American Judaism will come from embracing the Jewish mystical tradition, writes Rabbi Arthur Green. (eJewish Philanthropy)

A Jewish case against Halloween: Halloween is overrated and lacks meaning, as the holiday classic “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” illustrates, writes Laura Hodes. (Forward)

Hasidim vs. soy?: Media outlets rushed to repeat a story that a Hasidic yeshiva banned soy products because of fears that such foods fuel homosexuality. Yair Rosenberg scrutinizes the story and the reports, many of which has been retracted. (Tablet)

JTA Staff This article was posted by JTA staff.