Judaism

Jewish trivia quiz: Vaping

…A more complicated issue is whether a cigarette smoker could switch to vaping as a step towards cessation of all smoking, and on this authorities are still quite divided. There is rabbinic precedent that allows substitution of a less serious halachic violation for a more serious violation, i.e., that vaping, while harmful and generally forbidden, would be acceptable when replacing cigarette smoking, which is more dangerous. Authorities in this debate point to what other example where rabbis might allow a less serious transgression of Jewish law in lieu of a more serious one?

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Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Science, Medicine, & Education, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Rosh Hashanah: the New Year that Wasn’t a New Year

Rosh Hashanah is not a biblical holiday, although it replaced a biblical one, and is notably different from the holiday it replaced. The biblical holiday, Yom Teruah, had a totally different purpose than Rosh Hashanah, which focuses on the onset of a new year, repentance, and commitment to live the next year properly. Yom Teruah concentrated on months and the number seven.

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion

‘Schlepping, Schmoozing’ celebrates S.D. Jewish stories

The nice thing about this book is that you can either read it cover to cover or go through the extensive Table of Contents and choose the chapters that catch your eye. The book is in chronological order starting in 1987 and ending in 2019.

I did the latter and there were 18 stories that I was particularly drawn to read, such as his stories on immigrants –“Immigrant Stories Told at the New Americans Museum”- and his stories on Jewish Family Service and how they have served the community for over 100 years-“JFS, Looking Back a Century, Recalls Rose Neumann>” Moreover, I liked his stories on people who converted and intermarried couples- “Christina de Jesus is a Jewish Song Leader” and “Intermarried Couple Honors Each Other’s Beliefs.” His curious nature has served him well in life.

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Mimi Pollack, San Diego County

Bardot Foundation fights kosher and halal slaughter

…In the main part of the paper of 9 August my attention was drawn to a full-page advertisement placed by the Brigitte Bardot Foundation and headed by the clarion call (in French): ’11th August 2019 – “Aid el-Kebir,” Day of Sorrow and Blood.’

What followed was a long and detailed diatribe against the fact that thousands of sheep were going to have their throats cut under appalling conditions….

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish Religion

Notes on Torah reading for September 7, 2019

Shofetim Deuteronomy 16:18-21:8 By Irvin Jacobs, MD LA JOLLA, California — This parsha focuses on morality issues. They were written in an ancient setting, inserted just “prior to entering the promised land,” but they clearly are applicable today. I have chosen two passages for examples, and herein I explore their beginnings. I. Chapter 16: vv.

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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion

Our Shtetl San Diego: September 3, 2019

Items in today’s column
* A Non-Traditional, ‘Erotic’ Night of Yiddish poetry Has Been Rescheduled to Sept. 21.
* Some Rabbinic Thoughts as Rosh Hashanah Approaches
*A Rosh Hashanah Recipe:  Apple & Olive Oil Cake
* Richard Hirschhaut to head regional office of American Jewish Committee

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego Calendar, San Diego County, USA

Reform Judaism condemns Trump’s ‘hate speech’

NEW YORK (Press Release) — The following statement was issued by the Reform Judaism’s principal officers. As we begin the month of Elul, we enter a time of introspection and reflection culminating in the Jewish High Holidays. Individually and communally, we consider our actions, their impacts on others, and our responsibility to do whatever we

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Jewish Religion, USA

Some Secrets of the Jewish Calendar

By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California – Although the holiday of Rosh Hashanah occurs in the seventh month of the Jewish year, it begins a new calendar year, and those observing Jewish holidays understand they are using a calendar substantially different from the civil calendar: The Jewish calendar luni-solar; the civil calendar strictly solar. The

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Fred Reiss, EdD, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share