By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California–Popular culture often adds its own midrashic spin to famous biblical stories. The episode known as the Akedah, “The Binding of Isaac” illustrates the harrowing chapter when Abraham almost saw his future go literally, “up in smoke.” Bob Dylan and Woody Allen both add a remarkable subtext to […]
God wanted Abraham to just say no Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiIsrael tightens law banning indirect business dealings with Iran (JNS.org) The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee approved a set of guidelines on Tuesday that would effectively forbid Israelis from doing any business with Iran, Israel Hayom reported. The committee approved the guidelines required to enact the Struggle Against the Iranian Nuclear Program Law, which
JNS news briefs: October 16, 2013 Read More »
InternationalThe Closer: A Baseball Love Story by Alan Mindell, Sunbury Press, Inc.,2013, 978-1-62006-240-1,184 pgs., $14.95 By Eva Trieger Perseverance. This critical and deeply embedded trait is a trademark of Jews, Israel, great athletes, and Alan Mindell. I had the extreme pleasure of sitting with Alan and discussing how his novel, The Closer: A Baseball Love
‘The Closer’ is a book you’ll want to keep open Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Laurie Baron (Tune: My Country ‘tis of Thee) My country is shut down Congress has let us down. And we must plead. Land of enormous size, It needs a compromise. Support from Boehner’s side That’s how to lead. Here’s my analysis Of our paralysis. Let the House vote. To fund the government, On debts
Humoring the Headlines: October 15, 2013 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & SatireIDF destroys explosives-laden tunnel under Gaza borders (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) The Israel Defense Forces blew up an explosives-laden tunnel under Israel’s border with the central part of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, outgoing IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai said. The tunnel was a previously undiscovered segment of a tunnel that was uncovered before
JNS news briefs: October 15, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Somewhere in the American side of my brain is a memory of hearing that America is safe only when Congress is on vacation. The feeling may not be appropriate this week, when Members of Congress are trying to do something along with the White House to loosen their collective hands
Democracy in Israel: not always pretty Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastHamas leader Mashaal to visit Iran (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) In another sign of reconciliation between Hamas and Iran, Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Mashaal will arrive in Tehran on Monday night for an official visit during which he will meet with Iranian leaders. Mashaal’s trip is taking place after a two-year rift between Hamas
JNS News Briefs: October 14, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It should be no surprise that we are hearing another round of Israeli oy gevalt about Jews who leave the Promised Land, and thereby endanger the Zionist dream. The subject erupts every so often, currently provoked by yet another former Israeli who has won a Nobel Prize, at least partly
Nobel Prize renews debate over Israeli emigration Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Sheryl Rowling Dear Readers, We hear a lot of contradicting media hype on ObamaCare. Without getting into the details of ObamaCare (which I can do in a future column), I wanted to share this unsolicited letter that I received from a client. It was enlightening to me! Wishing all of you a healthy and
Money Maven: Obama Care and cancer Read More »
Sheryl Rowling, Travel and Food• The sign of circumcision is so important, that . . . .it alone would preserve the nation [Israel] forever — SPINOZA, Theologico-Political Treatise 1670. Ch. 3 • Turnus Rufus asked R. Akiba: “If God wanted circumcision, why didn’t he make man born circumcised?” R. Akiba replied, “Why do you ask only regarding circumcision? Why
Circumcision has been debated through the ages Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — After seeing the latest polls on the percentage of Americans who disapprove of the Republican strategy of linking the approval of a budget to the defunding of Obama Care, Confucius say, “Those who heed the advice of the junior senator from Texas will find themselves in a Ted end.”
Humoring the headlines: October 12, 2013 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Retirement is becoming a more distant dream for a rising number of older Americans, largely because they need the money but also because they are healthy enough to keep working. The percentage of 65-plus women who are working jumped more than 4 percentage points to 12.5%.
Abraham proved the Power of One Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiIDF reserve colonel beaten to death in Jordan Valley terror attack (JNS.org) Israel Defense Forces reserve colonel Sariya Ofer was killed Thursday night in the Jordan Valley village of Brosh Habika in a suspected Palestinian terrorist attack. Ofer was reportedly beaten by at least two Palestinian men wielding iron bars and axes. His wife, Monique,
JNS news briefs: October 11, 2013 Read More »
InternationalIsrael hopes U.S. cut in Egypt aid won’t affect peace deal (JNS.org) The U.S. on Wednesday decided to halt the transfer of $260 million in military aid to Egypt, citing democracy and human rights concerns. America will also withhold the delivery of tank parts, helicopters, anti-ship missiles, and the F-16 fighter aircraft. “As a result
JNS news briefs: October 10, 2013 Read More »
International