Judaism

Sabbath observance, animal sacrifice, leaving fields for gleaning

First Day Sukkot, a Sabbath: Leviticus 2:26-23:44 By Irv Jacobs, M.D. SAN DIEGO — This article discusses: the mandate to observe the Sabbath; the prohibition on sacrifice of an animal before eight days of age; a prohibition on harvesting the edges of one’s field; a warning of death for non-observance of Yom Kippur. I have […]

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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion

We endorse Joe Biden for President

Other items in today’s column include *Political bytes *Jewish organizations *In memoriam By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – This publication proudly endorses Joe Biden for President. We will give credit to President Donald Trump where it is due. We applauded his decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and to recognize the Golan

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, USA

Preserving Morocco’s multicultural identity

By Yossef Ben-Meir and Ellen Hernandez MARRAKECH, Morocco — Harnessing the experiences and the history of religious and ethnic groups in Morocco must be a priority before the holders of that knowledge are lost to time. Moroccan-based civil associations, with the right support, are in an ideal position to gather and disseminate this knowledge for

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International, Jewish History, Middle East, Yossef Ben-Meir

Torah for Children: Yom Kippur, a Time to Reflect

Yom Kippur begins on Sunday evening. It is considered to be the most holy day of the Jewish year. It is the only holiday even more special than Shabbat. But what makes this one day so important? It is a day devoted to thinking; thinking about yourself, thinking about your friends and family, about the world, and about God. It is finding out how you fit in and what you can do to make this world a better place for everyone. [Marcia Berneger]

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Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger

SDJW Endorses Sean Elo-Rivera for City Council District 9

Conflict of interest allegations and failure to report contributions in a timely manner militate against Barrios’ candidacy.  He needs to get his own house in order before he can become a steward of the people’s. Luckily for the voters, Sean Elo-Rivera, a trustee of the San Diego Community College District, is also a candidate in the 9th Council District, which Gomez is vacating to run for Congress.  [Donald H. Harrison, “Our Shtetl San Diego County”]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA

A Word of Torah: A Poem to Memorize

This Shabbos we read the portion titled Ha’azinu which means to hearken. The portion is primarily a warning of the consequences of disloyalty and betrayal. If the Jewish people will make poor choices, G-d forbid, there will be consequences – sometimes very harsh. Moshe imparted these words of wisdom in a poetical form. This particular song is written in a unique style within the Torah scroll, with each column split signifying that is a song or poem. Speaking of unique, in general we do not commit to memory the exact wording of the Torah, and if we do know it by heart we do not recite the words by heart. This portion we specifically do try to commit to memory so that we can recite it by heart. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

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Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

GI Film Festival spotlights a Jewish violinist

When Enlisted Man Stuart Canin boarded a  European-bound U.S. Army transport ship near the end of World War II, he carried with him his barracks bag, rifle, and a violin. Challenged by an officer about what he thought he’d need a violin for, Canin, then a teenager, replied “You Never Know.” He was so right. [Donald H. Harrison, “Our Shtetl San Diego County.”

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Melanie Rubin, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

A letter from Justice Ginsburg

From this email, I learned that Ruth Bader Ginsburg – yes, that Ruth Bader Ginsburg – had designated a gift to Avodah upon her receiving the Gilel Storch Award, a prize for her outstanding human rights contributions. I was stunned by such an incredible and humbling honor. The weight of her legacy was palpable when we later received a signed letter on U.S. Supreme Court letterhead, in which she declared that “Avodah is respected by people across the political spectrum for its engagement in real tikkun olam.” [Cheryl Cook]

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Obituaries & memorials, USA

A Torah song of privilege and poverty

What’s with Moshe and his songs? We’re familiar with the “Song of the Sea,” יָשִֽׁיר־מֹשֶׁה֩ אָ֣ז, in Exodus where we sing of praise for the miraculous redemption following the crossing of the sea while Ha’azinu  הַאֲזִינוּ — “listen” – teaches us in a dramatic artistic way something more broadly about the important role of our attitude in life. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Chronicler tells of Jewish rescuers during Holocaust

Jews who Rescued Jews During the Holocaust is an extraordinary initial publication of the compiled research of Moshe Gromb. The work is precisely summarized, factual, clinical, telling the stories of 100 of the over 2,000 harrowing stories he has collected. [Jerry Klinger]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Middle East

The evolution of sacrifices

With Yom Kippur upon us, it is the time when most people reflect on all the wrong they have done and seek forgiveness. It is customary for people to call or send letters of apology to others. In ancient times, Yom Kippur was accompanied by ritual animal sacrifice, rest from work, and fasting (see Leviticus 16 and 23). This was first done in the wilderness with Moses and his tabernacle, then later at the First and Second Temples. [Teresa Konopka]

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Jewish Religion, Teresa_Konopka