By Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO –The Mishkan (the portable Tabernacle) was built to be a place where G-d could dwell, presenting a more concentrated manifestation of Himself than He emanated to the rest of the world. It was the place where the people could go, with the proper preparation, to communicate with G-d with […]
Weekly Torah portion: Tetzaveh Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — There may be more pressing reasons for concern out there, but right now we’re grappling with what to wear Purim night. If you think of the Megillah-reading as the Academy Awards, then you can logically regard the stairs or the pathway leading to the shul as the
‘Who’ are you wearing at the Purim party? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireTextual Tapestries: Explorations of the Five Megillot by Gabriel H Cohn (Translated from the Hebrew by David Strauss), Maggid Books, New Milford, CT, © 2016, ISBN 978-1-59264-398-1, p. 433, $29.95 By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California – The Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible, is divided into three broad sections: Torah, the Five Books of Moses; Nevi’im, the prophets;
Five megillot are examined in ‘Textual Tapestries’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionAttendance was inspired by cemetery desecration Azra Baig. Photo via South Brunswick Board of Education Rabbi Robert Wolkoff felt “supported and encouraged” by the presence of 50 Muslim guests at Shabbat services in February. The toppling of 170 gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in Missouri inspired a Muslim woman in Middlesex County to do something
Cong. B’nai Tikvah welcomes Muslims to Shabbat services Read More »
Jewish Religion, USADaniel Dorsch Every Rosh Chodesh, our synagogue daily minyan holds a service in solidarity with the Women of the Wall who fight for religious equality in Israel. On Monday, women who would ordinarily be harassed leading services at the Kotel did so freely from our bimah. Instead of sneaking a Torah scroll into the Women’s
Why my heart won’t entirely be at AIPAC Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO –“And they shall make an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide and one and a half cubits high.” (Shemot 25:10) The Talmud Sanhedrin(29a) debates the source from where the concept ‘Whoever adds (to the Commandments) diminishes them’ is derived.
To add to the Torah is to lessen it Read More »
Jewish Religion
By David Ogul SAN DIEGO — Judaism teaches that the world relies on three principles: religious observance, divine work and acts of kindness. Ira Lerner showed his dedication to this philosophy through his professional life, his commitment to his religion and his ties to his family and many friends. Professionally, he served his country as
Ira Lerner: A Community Institution Read More »
David Ogul, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego CountyBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Translations of the Bible often reveal more about a translator’s world view than they do about the actual text. Once we decipher the context, a translation reveals something that is hidden to the reader. This is especially the case with respect to one of the more straightforward
Beware of insults to other religions Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — In 1979 pop singer Nick Lowe put out a single that became a classic: “Cruel to be Kind”: Oh I can’t take another heartache Though you say you’re my friend, I’m at my wit’s end You say your love is bonafide, but that don’t coincide With the things
What Torah teaches about being cruel to be kind Read More »
Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, VideosBy Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — The Torah (Exodus 23:6-11) lists several laws that pertain to judging the disadvantaged. “Do not pervert the judgment of a poor person in his disagreement. Distance yourself from falsehood. And do not take a bribe because a bribe blinds the eyes and perverts the words of the righteous.
Weekly Torah portion: Mishpatim Read More »
Jewish ReligionHaggai, Zechariah, and Malachi: Prophecy in an Age of Uncertainty by Hayyim Angel, Maggid Books, New Milford, CT, © 2016, ISBN 978-1-59264-413-1, p. 154 plus appendix, $24.95 By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California – Jewish prophets are missionaries in the sense that God calls them to fulfill a task, such as conveying important information to the
New book examines Judaism’s last three prophets Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – A bomb scare delayed the opening of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center on Tuesday, the same day local newspapers reported a dispute between the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot over the former’s request for permission to erect a menorah on the base
Menorah dispute, JCC bomb scare roil community Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USABy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — In this week’s parasha, Moses’ father-in-law, Yitro, learns about the miraculous Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. Moses’ wife and children had been staying with him in Midian and Yitro brings them to reunite with Moses in the wilderness. While visiting, Yitro notices all of the Israelites coming
Torah has good advice for picking judges Read More »
Jewish Religion, USABy Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — After the Jews, had settled peacefully into their wilderness encampment, Yitro, Moshe’s father in law, brought Zipporah, Moshe’s wife and two sons from Midyan, to be reunited with their husband and father. Moshe and all the leaders hosted Yitro to a joyous celebratory meal in which they praised
Weekly Torah portion: Yitro Read More »
Jewish Religion