The relation of this Haftorah to the Torah parasha Balak is that in the parasha, we read of Balak, king of Moab, designing a plot against Moses and the Israelites; in the Haftorah Micah recalls that story. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Haftorah Reading for June 26, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
When it comes to the Exodus from Egypt, there are countless references—both implicit and explicit—that add depth beyond the plain meaning of the text. Take for instance the exchange between Moses and Pharaoh where Moses asks to sacrifice in a distant land. [Teresa Konopka]
Some Forgotten Background to Biblical Episodes Read More »
Jewish Religion, Teresa_Konopka
Written by Rabbi Shimshon Meir Frankel, a clinical psychologist living in Zichron Yaakov, Israel, who also practices as a marriage and family therapist, with more than 25 years of experience, his book stands out with its Torah-driven, short-term, solution-oriented focus anchored in ancient wisdom. It puts the reader in the driver’s seat with very concentrated tools to live free of foreign, unhelpful thoughts, “antagonists,” and unhealthy behaviors – it is soul focused and value grounded. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Book Review: The Wisdom of Getting Unstuck Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
Talking donkeys can teach us a great deal about who really offers blessings and curses, that is, only Hashem. And more than this, talking donkeys can teach us to inclusively, with ahavat yisroel, open our eyes and see the good in everyone else in the world. It says in the parasha three times, “And G-d opened the eyes of Bilam and he saw…” Some people, like Bilaam, may need continuous lessons to see the presence of Hashem. We benefit from similar reminders to see every other person with understanding, with the benefit of the doubt, with love, through ayin tova. Our eyes are lenses through which we see the world. Too often shmutz clouds what we see in terms of negative thinking. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Talking Donkey Teaches Us To See the Good in One Another Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Most people do not know that the Talmud and other rabbinic volumes such as Midrash include non-legal writings about theology, ethics, psychology, health, and many other topics, as well as fascinating and delightful stories. Along with being appealing, riveting, and charming tales, these accounts also contain subtle often overlooked lessons. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Miraculous Tales of Ancient Judaism Dissected Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
In the June 20, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
[Michael Ordman]
Good News From Israel (June 20, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
The Balboa Park-based San Diego History Center has embarked on a $100,000 fundraising campaign “to edit, conserve and preserve” more than 90 hours of interviews that were conducted in preparation for its 2017-2018 exhibition Celebrate San Diego: The History of San Diego’s Jewish Community and a companion documentary film. To the Ends of the Earth: A Portrait of San Diego. The fundraising campaign is being led by Jeff and Karen Silberman. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish News Around San Diego, June 18, 2021 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastTorah reading is Hukkat (Numbers 19-22); Haftorah is Judges 11: 1-33 By Irv Jacobs, M.D. LA JOLLA, California — This short prose excerpt from the Book of Judges relates adventures of Jephthah, a man societally rejected because of his birth out of wedlock. The story unfolds in which he becomes a welcome victorious military commander
Haftorah Reading for June 19, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
A bit of friendly advice for my fellow Jews, and especially those from Israel residing in San Diego. The House of Israel, which has been open continuously in Balboa Park since 1948–the same year Israel was created–is now in danger of losing its charter. The dedicated volunteers who do their best to keep the House open every Saturday and Sunday, as required by the City of San Diego, are wearying. Some are getting too old to maintain that type of schedule; others are experiencing burnout. [Donald H. Harrison]
Will We Lose the House of Israel to Another Nation? Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, USAThe Pure Red Heifer, the Parah Adumah T’mimah which we read about in this week’s parasha, Chukat, opens the door to learning about a purification process that defies rational understanding. Burn a perfectly good cow without blemish and its ashes can make those who burn it imperfect, impure, while making the impure, the imperfect, pure and perfect. What a paradox! [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Torah portion for June 19, 2021: Chukat Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Published by Reuters By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly apologized on Monday for her remarks last month comparing COVID-19 mask requirements and vaccinations to the Nazi Holocaust that killed 6 million Jews. “I have made a mistake and it’s really bothered me for a couple weeks now,” Greene
It’s my joy to review for this publication many current books — especially memoirs, biographies, and novels — but occasionally when there are none left on the pile to review, I have the opportunity to tuck into older books recommended to me by friends and relatives who know that I love to find stories corroborating this publication’s mantra that “There is a Jewish story everywhere.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Stories Are Everywhere — Especially in Books Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
Stuart Weinstock, an Escondido businessman and former owner of Salsa Market in Vista, was sentenced in federal court Monday to eight months in custody for evading over $180,000 in taxes as part of an eight-year tax-evasion scheme with former Chabad of Poway Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein. [U.S. Attorney’s Office, San Diego]
8-Month Prison Term for Defendant in Chabad of Poway Fraud Case Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA
Since the average Jew and non-Jew in the seventeenth century believed in such things as the ever presence of God, a soul, the inerrancy of the Bible, faith rather than reason, the power of prayer, and the existence of helping angels, and since the Christians killed even their fellow religionists who rejected these notions, the Jewish officials excommunicated several Jews who held contrary views to protect the rest of the Jewish community from Christian outrage and death. One of these was Spinoza, who was excommunicated at age 24, in 1656. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Was Baruch Spinoza Wrong or Wholly or Partially Correct? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion