Donald H. Harrison

Comparing Torah (Va-Yetsa) with Ancient Practices

The parasha covers; Jacob’s escape to Haran; his stop at Beth El, where he had a dream of a stairway to heaven with angels on it; his  conditional vow to subject himself to God if he received certain survival measures; his arrival at Haran where he meets and falls in love with Rachel; his stay with his uncle Laban and a work deal for her hand in marriage; Laban’s deception, ending in a twice-long work period for both his daughters; the birth of eleven children over time between Leah and Rachel and their maids; a mandrake (aphrodisiac) dispute between the sisters; Jacob’s outfoxing Laban to accumulate herds; Jacob’s escape from Laban with a final peace agreement between them.  I have chosen three passages, for comparison, via the internet, with writings attributed to ancient Israel’s neighbors. [Irv Jacobs, MD]

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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion

Biden appoints Palestinian-American woman to senior White House role

US President-elect Joe Biden on Monday appointed a Palestinian-American woman to serve as a senior member of his White House staff.Reema Dodin, who is currently a volunteer on the President-elect’s transition team, will take the post of deputy director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs, alongside Shuwanza Goff.She will be the first ever

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Middle East, USA

Israeli PM, UAE Crown Prince nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, Israeli media reported on Tuesday, citing a statement by Netanyahu’s office.The nomination was submitted by Lord David Trimble, a former First Minister of Northern Ireland and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, receiving the prize

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Middle East

Georgia state senators call for special session to address voting issues

ATLANTA — Four Republican state senators are calling for a special session of the General Assembly to address voting concerns before the January runoff — an idea that top Georgia leaders have already rejected.In a statement released late Tuesday, the senators called for the session to “address structural issues with our voting system before the

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USA

Lebanon judge wants ministers investigated over port blast

The judge leading Lebanon’s probe into the deadly Beirut port blast wants three members of the cabinet investigated over their possible responsibility in the disaster, a judicial source said on Tuesday.On August 4, the explosion of hundreds of tonnes of ammonium nitrate killed more than 200 people, wounded thousands, and ravaged large parts of the

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Middle East

Imagining the next White House seder!

One can imagine a crowded seder at the White Housed during Passover week next year, with President-elect Joe Biden and his First Lady Jill Biden observing and perhaps taking a turn reading the Haggadah as guests of honor.  Biden’s son by his first marriage, Hunter, is married to South African filmmaker Melissa Cohen, while Ashley, daughter of the President-elect and the First Lady-designate, is married to plastic surgeon, Dr. Howard Krein. There might be plenty of other Jews there, starting with the Second Gentleman (as perhaps he will be called) Doug Emhoff, the attorney who is husband to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, USA

Satire: Super Narcissistic Hyper-Braggadocious  

He’s super narcissistic hyper-braggadocious.                                                                                            
He cannot concede his loss due to paranoid psychosis.                                                                         
If you say lawsuits are doomed, he’ll doubt your prognosis.                                                                     
Super narcissistic hyper-braggadocious. … [Satire by Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

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Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Feeling the Tug of God

I’m reminded of the little boy who was out flying his kite on a windy day. The wind was terrific that day and the kite was soaring high into the clouds. A man walked by and asked the boy what he was doing. “I’m flying my kite,” said the boy. The man looked, couldn’t see any kite and said, “I don’t see any kite. How do you know you’re flying a kite?” The boy answered, “Mr., because I can feel the tug.” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Fruit trees grown on Moroccan Jewish land transplanted to Muslim-owned farms

Farming communities of Morocco’s countryside combine to require some billions of fruit trees and medicinal plants as they transition away from the traditional practice of growing barley and corn. In order for communities to generate the trees they need, they require the gift of land to grow seeds in local nurseries because they cannot forego their own land and not harvest food every year to survive. The Moroccan Jewish community, next to their 600 cemeteries throughout the nation, has empty lands they are willing to lend without cost to local agricultural associations and cooperatives to help them meet their tree and plant needs. [Yossef Ben-Meir, Ph.D]

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Business & Finance, International, The World We Share, Travel and Food, Yossef Ben-Meir

Adam Schiff analyzes the 2020 election

First things first, there was one overriding goal on November 3rd: Defeat Donald Trump and elect Joe Biden. That was goal one, two, and three. And we did it. By that existential measure alone, the election was a vital success and we can all be proud of the role we played to make it so. I don’t know about you, but my predominant reaction when the size and certainty of Biden’s victory became clear was “thank God,” accompanied by a tremendous sense of relief. Now, we can begin to mitigate and repair the horrendous damage this president has inflicted on the nation, an injury to the body politic that he is deepening even now with his outrageous and despicable claims of fraud. President-elect Biden is already assembling an incredible team of Cabinet members. Experienced, compassionate, no drama, and ready to serve. [Adam Schiff]

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USA

Michigan Republican canvassers say they’ve received threats

LANSING, Mich. — Norm Shinkle, a Republican member of the board in charge of certifying Michigan’s election results, said Monday he received “quite a few” threats as he considered whether to validate the Nov. 3 vote.The Board of State Canvassers convened to consider certifying the state’s election tallies, which found Democratic President-elect Joe Biden won

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USA

OpEd: Trump, Bibi stand at edge of illegitimacy

We’ve long known about the problems at the top of government. Democracy or not, it ain’t easy holding together large and–inevitably– complex societies. And now the issue is highlighted in the two countries closest to me: Israel and the United States. In both cases the Prime Minister or President have reached the extreme of illegitimacy. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Feinstein to give up top spot on Senate Judiciary

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on Monday announced she will not seek the position of chairman or ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee in the 117th Congress. Feinstein has served as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee since 2017 and previously served as chairman and vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. She will continue to serve as a member of those committees next year, as well as remaining on the Senate Appropriations Committee. [Press Release from Senator Feinstein]

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USA