The terms “Azazel” and “Yom Hakippurim” are discussed in the biblical portion of Aharei Mot (16:1-18:30), but neither is part of Judaism today. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Azazel, Yom Hakippurim, and Yom Kippur Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Author Rob Kutner spices Jewish religion and history with jokes, shtick and anachronistic imagination in a book that is sure to offend some and delight others. [Donald H. Harrison]
Facetious Jewish ‘History’ Book Makes Entertaining Reading Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
The Torah’s association of tzara’at with spiritual failings serves as a cautionary tale against evil words. We must remain persistent in calling for healing words: legislation that unifies, that promotes inclusion of everyone, not promoting one group over another, or falsely blaming or attacking another group for allegedly having what we want but don’t have. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah: This Week’s Portion Warns against Evil Speech Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
This week’s Torah readings bring profound, overwhelming, and weighty lessons for living a healthier, more mindful, genuinely caring, and authentically considerate life. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parshiot Tazria-Metzora: Blueprint for Emotional Healing, Human Dignity Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodThere were many biblical words that translators and commentators mistranslated. Tzaraat was one of the many. It is mentioned in the 13th chapter of the fourth biblical portion of Leviticus, Tazri’a 12:1-13:59. Yesterday, I posted an essay showing four mistranslations of the Bible. This is a fifth of the many that exist. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Did Biblical Translators Mistranslate a Word as ‘Leprosy?’ Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Each morning between Passover and Shavuot my twins ask, “what day are we counting?” It’s almost like the saying on long car rides “are we there yet?” [Cailin Acosta]
A Novel Way to Count the Omer Read More »
Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined ContributorsUnfortunately, there are many instances of well-meaning, intelligent people misinterpreting the Bible. Sometimes, they did it intentionally to teach a lesson, and sometimes, they got it wrong. I will give two examples of each. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Was the Bible Translated Correctly? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsWe are in a sacred space and time, I would even say it is a spiritual countdown. Right after we celebrate the flight from Egypt at Pesach/Passover, we start something called Sefirat HaOmer – Counting the Sheafs! [Barrett Holman Leak]
Sacred Space in Time: Counting the Omer Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsLike Nadav and Avihu, who in their spiritual fervor sought to draw closer to the Divine, Hamilton possessed an intense inner fire, a relentless drive to shape the future of his adopted country. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah: Hamilton Tragedy Mirrors Nadav’s and Avihu’s Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USAThe days between Passover and Shavout include counting the Omer. The countdown represents the time between our ancestors’ liberation and the time they accepted the responsibility of becoming Torah-observing Jews. [Cailin Acosta]
San Diego Jewish Community Counts the Omer Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
On Yom HaShoah, we pause to remember the millions whose lives were extinguished in the Holocaust, their voices silenced by unimaginable atrocities. Their suffering, and the silence that often followed, echoes the biblical narratives of Aaron and Job … [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Aaron, Job, and Holocaust Survivors Wrestled with Spiritual Pain Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined ContributorsWhat disturbed Nadav and Avihu was not evil—it was their unchanneled passion. A desire to serve, but without the humility to follow the structure Hashem set. They acted, but they weren’t aligned. (Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.)
Parsha Shemini: Stillness that Elevates Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined ContributorsWe need to question everything, even our prayers. By questioning, we learn; by learning, we improve ourselves and help improve others and even inanimate items. An example is a seemingly silly statement in one of our prayers. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
A Seemingly Simple, Senseless Sentence Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Where did Josh Shapiro propose to his wife, who he first met in 9th grade at Akiba Hebrew Academy (now known as Barrack Hebrew Academy)? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Josh Shapiro Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA