This short simplistic prose passage, from the time of the Judges [1], deals with an angel’s message. It is that the un-named wife of Minoah, both minor figures, was to bear a child. The child is Samson, who will be a lifelong Nazarite. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Notes on Torah Reading for May 22, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
In this week’s parasha, Naso, the longest in the Torah, we are introduced to the Birkat Kohanim, the “Priestly Blessing.” We’re all familiar with it. We’ve heard it said, recited it ourselves, and offered it to others, many times: (Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D)
A Deeper Look at Judaism’s Priestly Blessing Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
“From Africa to Zion” is a remarkable memoir that takes us from the author’s childhood in a rural Ethiopian village without electricity or running water through his perilous journey to a crowded, multi-ethnic refugee camp in the Sudan, where disease and crime were rampant, and onto his arrival to the modern world of Israel, in which his family were initially mystified by such conveniences as toilets and refrigerators. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Jewish Odyssey from Ethiopia to Israel and Back Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East
NETANYA, Israel — In the May 16, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–US doctors use an Israeli device to remove blood clots from stroke patients.
–Israel has sent tons of coronavirus aid to India.
–4 top multinationals are expanding Israeli hi-tech operations.
–Israeli innovators are turning CO2 emissions into an energy source.
–Israel’s economy continues to improve.
–An Israeli has won France’s top literary prize.
–The festival of Shavuot is uniting Israelis, just as it did 3,333 years ago
[Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (May 16, 2021) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, USA
A century has passed and nothing has changed. It is a depressing thought that nothing seems to have changed in the last hundred years in regard to Arab/Jewish relations in Israel/Palestine. [Lloyd Levy]
Arab-Jewish Strife Repeats That of a Century Ago Read More »
Jewish History, Lloyd Levy, Middle East
There is no shortage of places in Valley Center that would qualify for an official government historic register. Yet, not a single home, building or site has ever been recognized on any local, regional or federal government official list of sites, buildings, structures or objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historic significance. Only signs reading “Site of Historic Interest” appear on many properties, all installed by the Valley Center Historical Society.
That is about to change. [Robert Lerner]
Local ranch poised for historic status Read More »
Jewish History, San Diego County
This week we begin the fourth of the five books of the Torah, the book of BaMidbar. BaMidbar means ‘In the Desert.’ It is also called Sefer HaPikudim, which translates as the Book of Numbers. The portion has the same name as the book itself. It is telling that this portion is read before the holiday of Shavuot, which comes out this year Sunday night through Tuesday night. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: Standing Together Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
At a ceremony hosted by the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center (BYHMC), Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, the Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine Andrii Yermak and Ukraine’s Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko honored Ukrainians who saved Jews during the Holocaust and announced that those still alive will receive a lifelong monthly state stipend, in recognition of their heroism. [News Release from Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center]
Ukraine Announces Stipends for Life for Holocaust Rescuers Read More »
International, Jewish History
It brings me great pleasure to announce that the Chula Vista Public Library is now open and that the RUTH (Remember Us The Holocaust) exhibit has been extended through December 2021. [Sandy Scheller]
Chula Vista Public Library Extends Holocaust Exhibit Read More »
International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
Many people, including rabbis, are convinced that the biblical Ruth converted to Judaism. This is not true. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Ruth Did Not Convert to Judaism Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionThis mainly poetic text is half autobiographical, half metaphor for the Northern Kingdom’s idolatry, or whoredom, through adoption of the Baal religion of their neighbors. Hosea, who married the unfaithful harlot Gomer, depicts his entire country behaving as married to the whore Baal. [Irv Jacobs, M.D]
Haftorah for May 15, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionThe wilderness. The midbar, a place of uncertainty, fear, and danger. Daled-bais-reish lies at the root of the word. These letters also are found in the root of davar, word, to speak words that lead to spiritual healing. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Learning Our Value in the Wilderness Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellDuring the holiday of Shavuot, the practice in many synagogues is to read the beautiful biblical book Ruth. Various reasons attempt to explain the practice including that Ruth is said to have converted to Judaism around the time of Shavuot and so did the Israelites when they accepted the Torah; Ruth was an ancestress of King David who died on Shavuot; the harvest in Israel is described in the book, and Shavuot is the time of the Harvest. This is unlikely. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Truth about the Book of Ruth Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Rabbi Mendel Jacobs of the Lubavitch of Scotland is known for what action that related to traditional Scottish culture? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Scotland Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire