Dr. Israel Drazin served for 31 years in the US military and attained the rank of Brigadier General. He has a PhD in Judaic Studies and a Masters Degree in psychology and a Masters Degree in Jewish Literature. He is an attorney and a rabbi.
He developed the legal strategy that saved the military chaplaincies when its constitutionality was attacked in court, and received the Legion of Merit for his service.
Jacob was silent when his daughter Dinah was held by the prince of Shechem, who asked Jacob for permission to marry her. When his sons agreed on the condition that all the men of Shechem circumcise themselves, he was silent. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Strange Tale of Dinah Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Eight of Elie Wiesel’s fifty-seven books could be called “Theological Biographies.” They are books on biblical figures and stories about Hasidim. They are Souls on Fire (1972), Four Hasidic Masters and Their Struggle Against Melancholy (1978), Somewhere a Master (1982), and Wise Men and Their Tales (2003), which focus on Hasidim. Messengers of God (1976), Five Biblical Tales (1981), and Sages and Dreamers (1991) look at biblical people. Filled with Fire and Light is a 2021 posthumous book addressing biblical, Talmudic, and Hasidic figures. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Hasidic Rebbes and what they taught us Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsWiesel was convinced that the power of literature lies in its ability to galvanize human action. This includes the Bible. “The text is not – cannot be – neutral, nor is it an end in itself: it must serve to humanize our society.” Wiesel shows this in his discussions of Joshua, Elijah, Saul, Jeremiah, and Jonah’s lives and actions. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Elie Wiesel Was Fascinated by Joshua, Elijah, Saul, Jeremiah, and Jonah Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsA 500-member jury of Athenians found Socrates guilty of corrupting the city’s youth by asking them questions. They gave him a choice. Either leave Athens or drink the poison hemlock. Socrates felt he was helping the youth think by asking them questions, and he chose to die for his beliefs. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Value of Questions Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsNumerous questions arise when we delve into the biblical portion concerning Abraham in Lekh Lekha, Genesis 12:1-17:27. One such question is the apparent mistake in narrating Abraham’s story, which begins when he is 75. His early life is briefly noted in only six sentences in 11:27-32. Shouldn’t the entire story of Abraham, including these early years, be presented together, with 11:27-32 forming part of chapter 12? [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
What don’t we know about Abraham? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsWhen we read good literature, we should question what we read and why something is happening. We should seek to be stimulated by our reading to change and improve ourselves and everything. Is what we read proper? Should it have been done differently? [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
What Role in Society Should Literature Play? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Virtually every Jew—regardless of age—has heard of Elijah, whose presence inspired the “Cup of Elijah” ritual seen at every Passover celebration. Elijah’s name is also evoked in the Havdalah ceremony in a special prayer expressing our hope that Elijah will be the precursor of the Messianic Era. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Some Theorize Elijah Was Pinchas Reincarnated Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined ContributorsIsrael Baal Shem Tov (1700-1760) originated modern Hasidim. Since his death, much like the many diverse Christian Protestant groups, Hasidim today is made up of many different groups with similar and dissimilar ideologies. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Origin of Hasidim Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
He examines the Torah text from Jewish and non-Jewish sources. He follows the rational view that Maimonides (1138-1204) taught in his introduction to his Guide of the Perplexed: that the truth is the truth no matter its source. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Toby Press 2024 English translation of Israel’s number one Hebrew bestseller, One Day in October, tells the stories of forty heroes who performed remarkable acts on that bloody Shabbat. The stories are dramatic and inspiring. The heroes usually tell them, but a surviving relative or friend narrates the tale if they were killed during their heroism. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Israeli Book Records October 7, 2023 Actions and Reactions Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Staff and Bylined ContributorsPrejudice is defined as a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or experience. It is favoring or disliking something without good reason. It is irrational. It destroys people, both the person feeling and doing it and the person or group affected by it. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Prejudice Is More than We Think It Is Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Kigel’s longest chapter contains her Dating Don’ts. She discusses breaking up a relationship with a so-so man, experiencing opposite traits in a person, confusing bad habits with bad character, being attracted to a “bad boy,” dating guys who are not interested in marriage, having unrealistic expectations, what feelings should be taken seriously, being the pursuer as a woman, being friends with other men, and dating more than one man at a time. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Excellent dating advice, Marry a Mensch Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined ContributorsSome scholars think that the ancient Israelites were Hyksos. Others say Israelites were slaves to them. They claim the Israelite enslavement in Egypt and their exodus under Moses’ leadership never happened. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Were the Israelites Enslaved in Egypt? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr.The plot is interesting, enlightening, and engaging, a delight to read. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 because of what he wrote about the horrors of the Holocaust, Russia, and other subjects. He artistically paints his characters in his poetic style, as Rembrandt painted in oils and brought his subject to life with his paints. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Wiesel’s 1973 Novel ‘The Oath’ is Worth Reading Again Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Staff and Bylined Contributors