By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. It’s mighty difficult to sing while confined within onerous circumstances. As we read in this week’s parasha, only after we were freed, we were able to recognize Hashem as the God of creation at the Red Sea. Welcome to “Shabbos Shirah — the “Sabbath of Song.” A time to become infused […]
Parashat Beshalach: Singing for Strength Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. When it comes to mitzvot, we often choose which are more comfortable, which make more sense and ultimately which we will do and not do. But as the Zohar points out, the positive commandments of which there are 248, and the negative commandments of which there are 365, correlate to
Going Beyond Social Graces Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael MantellBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In each weekly Torah reading, we find insightful and profound lessons for our emotional evolution. This week’s parasha is certainly teeming with weighty psychological education. Often in life we become complacent in our personal station. It may not be particularly beneficial, it may not be what we ideally long
Parashat Bo: Summoning the Effort to Pursue Your Goals Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Jerry Klinger LONDON — The simple blue and white rectangular historical plaque for Sir Arnold Wesker located at a Hackney (London) school evokes a familiar identity in London. The plaque, though different in design, is easily associated with the famous (and mostly circular) Blue and White Plaque program run by English Heritage found throughout
Blue Plaque of Sir Arnold Wesker Underscores Jewish Contributions to British Life Read More »
International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History
The Trial of Cain: A Jewish Courtroom Drama by Rabbi Dr. Dan Ornstein; Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society; © 2021; ISBN: 0827614675; 232 pages; $20.93. By Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Rabbi Dan Ornstein’s excellent book, The Trial of Cain: A Jewish Courtroom Drama, reminded me of something I once did with
Rethinking Cain’s Famed Remark, ‘Am I My Brother’s Keeper?’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
Before we embark on this American journey, let us not forget that there is Jewish life in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, that is well worth remembering. In brief, we can find it at the Centro Social Israelita, the Congregaçion Hebraica de Baja California, and in the Jewish-owned department stores and shops along Avenida de la Revoluçion. [Donald H. Harrison]
Schlepping and Schmoozing along the Interstate 5: Tijuana in the Rear View Mirror Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USAOne of the interesting points that Maimonides and Philo of Alexandria agree on in this week’s Torah portion is the role of human freedom and responsibility. Philo routinely pointed out that God is never the source of moral evil in the world—human beings are, and they alone must be responsible for the moral condition of society—whether it be good or bad, harmonious or chaotic. This idea is also one of ancient Stoicism’s greatest moral teachings. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Who’s Responsible for the Evil in the World? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
These prophetic passages, partly poetic but mainly prose, come from the writings of the controversial prophet Ezekiel, known previously to us for hallucinatory flights of fancy. These are dated c. 587 BCE, months before the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Haftorah Reading for January 1, 2022 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
Over the course of six years the author toiled to trace the movements, ideas and political currents underlying two seminal terms in modern international law: ‘genocide’ and ‘crimes against humanity.’ In this undertaking he has interwoven the history and fate of his own family in Galicia (Poland and Ukraine), as well as that of a number of incidental characters, who were involved directly or indirectly in the rescue of some of his family members and the failure to save others. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
‘East West Street:’ Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish History
Two Holocaust survivors were among the 135 Canadians recently appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. [JNS.org]
Rabbi, 2 Holocaust Survivors Receive Order of Canada Award Read More »
International, Jewish History
By Jerry Klinger Bigotry, hate, antisemitism, and ignorance are not owned by any one group, nor by any one culture or nationality. There is a universality to it. Antisemites repeat, with vicious relish, the false canard that Galut Jews are disloyal, cowards. They never volunteer as soldiers, fight for their country, and if called to
Captain Simmon Latutin Marker in UK: The Latest Pinprick for Antisemites Read More »
International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish HistoryHow do you manage the pressure of hail in your life? No, not the hail that might fall once every few years in our generally warm San Diego rainy seasons. The hail I’m referring to is that which comes as adversity and misfortune, the type that Pharaoh experienced in this week’s Torah reading. Pharaoh told Moshe after the plague of hail, “I’ve sinned this time and God is righteous and me and my people are wicked.” But as soon as the hail cleared, Pharaoh stepped back from his admission. [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]
Torah Portion for January 1, 2022 Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
In Part One, we mentioned the question why, according to tradition, Judah’s family merited having the messiah come from them and obscurities in the Torah in Genesis 37 and 38. This is a continuation. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
What we don’t know about Judah – Part Two Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionThe unclear stories about Judah are significant because Jewish and Christian theology contend that the messiah will be a descendant of this fourth son of Jacob. What if anything did Judah do to merit this distinction? We will address this question and point out many obscurities in Genesis 37 and 38. We will address other obscurities in chapters 39 and others in the next essay. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
What we don’t know about Judah- Part One Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion