By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO –The combined parshiot of Tazria and Metzora deal with different types of skin disease that are found on people and fungus that grows in their homes. The Torah tells us that these afflictions are sources of ritual impurity and designates the different rites that must be carried out in […]
Judaism’s injunctions against ‘slanderous speech’ Read More »
Jewish Religion, Travel and FoodBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–Kashrut observance is one of the defining rituals of Judaism. For Jews, the food we put into our mouths is equally as important as the words that come out. Parashat Shemini cites the defining characteristics of Kosher mammals and fish. Mammals must have cleft hooves and chew their cud. Sea
The kashrut of self-control Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — On Passover some Jews obsess about chametz. They spend so much time worrying about Passover Kashrut that they forget what the holiday is all about. One such Jew was Rabbi Yechiel of Kozmir. He was fixated on observing every single law of the holiday and ridding his house
Remembering the true meaning of Passover Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM–For the past several years I’ve been putting out a light-hearted ’18 Ways You Know Pesach is Coming In Israel’ piece to describe the frenetic days leading up to Pesach in the holy city. This year, there are a few additional notable events that are driving the news cycles over here.
20 ways to know Pesach is coming to Israel Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By Joel A. Moskowitz, MD LA JOLLA, California — In anticipation of spending a Seder with our daughter and her family, I chanced upon a book that describes how one hundred and one famous and not so famous persons recall their experience on Pesach. Nancy Rips, a book commentator, has gathered a small volume, of
‘Seder Stories’ by Nancy Rips may prompt good conversation at your seder Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — I meet with our Abraham Ratner Torah School students one Wednesday a month. We usually meet in our Goodman Chapel. This month I introduced them to a new addition to our chapel, the Mishebeirach tapestry that was fashioned from the creative contributions of many members of our Sisterhood
Tifereth Israel preschoolers experience a sacred moment Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Despite his role as the rescuer of Israel, the Torah takes great pain to de-emphasize the role of Moses in the Exodus. Credit for the miracles is given to God alone, Moses dies without entering the Promised Land, and no one knows where he is buried. This tradition
Pshaw! said the Red Sea, it’s only Moses Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — For late night edification and amusement, there is nothing I love better than watching infomercials. (“But wait! There’s more!”) Some of my favorites are those extolling the virtues of $19.99 exercise machines. The ads feature athletic men and women effortlessly going through their paces while the announcer informs
Torah lesson: you don’t get something for nothing Read More »
Jewish Religion, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — I admire Abba Eban, z”l, I do not agree with his view on governing by consensus. Eban wrote: “A consensus means that everyone agrees to say collectively what no one believes individually.” I have the opposite opinion: a consensus means that everyone has put aside their personal reservations
Consensus seekers are true leaders Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO (Press Release)–One of the creepiest television programs on cable is “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern.” Andrew (who is Jewish, of course) tours the world sampling unusual local cuisine. Some of his favorite dishes have been roasted Wallaby tail, raw crocodile eggs, and juicy cheese worms. While all of these
What we eat helps to forge our Jewish identity Read More »
Jewish Religion, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and FoodBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–This week I was honored to be a member of San Diego’s delegation to the “First Ever Jewish Legacy Forum” in Tucson, Arizona. San Diego’s Jewish Community Foundation has been a pioneer in helping local synagogues and agencies promote legacy giving and the establishment of endowment funds. Tifereth Israel Synagogue
This Chanukah, your child can receive the gift of Jewish reading Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Judaism believes in teshuva, the human capacity for change. We are not the same human beings we were yesterday and tomorrow we will be different still. Judaism believes that human beings can grow and progress, and that today’s sinner may become tomorrow’s saint. Yet is absolute change ever
We can’t change who we are, just control it better Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–After Jacob leaves Laban and begins his journey back to Eretz Yisrael, Laban chases after him and accuses him of deserting him. Jacob explains his actions and Laban eventually decides to leave Jacob alone and returns to his own home. The Torah puts it this way: “Laban returned to his
The difference between Laban and Jacob Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–Although the Torah records many details of the lives of Abraham and Jacob, not much is known about Isaac. Isaac seems to be a transitional figure whose exploits largely duplicate those of his father, Abraham. In Genesis 26:17, we learn that Isaac “dug anew the wells which had been dug
Berditchev rebbe learns value of persistence Read More »
Jewish Religion