By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. This parasha may be an environmentalist’s dream. It says, “When you besiege a city for an extended period, to make war against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them; for you may eat from them, and you shall not cut them down; […]
Parashat Shoftim: An Environmentalist’s Dream Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
$14.9 million in state funding has been allocated to renovate the century-old Breed Street Shul, a landmark of major historical and cultural significance in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. [Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel]
Restored Breed Street Shul Will Be a Multi-Ethnic Community Center Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, USA
Archeologists have uncovered in the City of David National Park in Jerusalem the first evidence of the capital being hit with an earthquake that was mentioned in the Bible, reported i24News. [JNS.org]
Archaeologists Find Evidence of Earthquake Mentioned in Tanakh Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By the time Dr. and Mrs. Bernardo Stein of Seminole, Florida, and Mr. and Mrs. David Abelson of Oldsmar, Florida, had finished the guest list for the wedding of their children, the number had mushroomed well past 400. By the time Arlyn Stein and Adam Abelson walked down the aisle last Dec. 19, the list of “guests” had shrunk to, well, zero. The entire wedding party consisted of the bride and groom, their parents, three siblings and two grandparents. Oh, and Cooper, their 10-month-old mini-poodle. [Bruce F. Lowitt]
Remembrance of a Covid Wedding Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Is your glass half empty, half filled, or as mine is, filled with 6 ounces of water and the rest, air? Yes, “the link is what you think,” and this week’s Torah reading underscores this idea with its words, “See, this day I set before you a
Parashat Re’eh: Finding the Right Sight Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Torah reading is Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17); Haftorah reading is Isaiah 54:11-55:5 By Irv Jacobs, M.D. LA JOLLA, California — These simplistic short poetic passages extracted from Isaiah II (c. 538-530 BCE) comprise the third haftorah of consolation, leading up to the Sabbath before Yom Kippur. It has no connection to the corresponding Torah parsha. The
Haftorah Reading for August 7, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
The first of the two Torah sections presents twenty questions for each parashah (weekly Torah reading), such as, in parashat Chayei Sarah he asks, “Who in the Torah had 13 children? And in parashat Shoftim, “Which word is an acronym for the four types of leaders in Israel mentioned in parashat Shoftim?” The second of the two Torah sections offers 169 general Torah questions. For example, “Why did Paroh (Hebrew for Pharoah) change Joseph’s name?” and “What is the only birthday party mentioned in the Torah?” [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]
‘Torah IQ’ Provides More Than 1,000 Questions and Answers Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion, Trivia, Humor & SatireThis fully poetic, artistic passage from Isaiah II comprises the second haftorah prophecy of consolation after the 9th of Av, leading up to the Sabbath before Yom Kippur. As stated in the previous essay, it has no connection to the corresponding Torah parasha.This fully poetic, artistic passage from Isaiah II comprises the second haftorah prophecy of consolation after the 9th of Av, leading up to the Sabbath before Yom Kippur. As stated in the previous essay, it has no connection to the corresponding Torah parasha. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Haftorah Reading for July 31, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
Maggid Books in association with Steinsaltz Center has published part of the text of one of the two famous books by the founder of Chabad Hasidim, also called Lubavitcher Hasidim, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812). Rabbi Zalman’s other famous book is Shulchan Arukh Harav, a book that only partially survived, which deals with Jewish law. This book, a translation and commentary of part of the Tanya, originally published in Hebrew in 1797, is by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz (1937-2020) a Chabad Hasid, the author of over 60 books and more than 100 articles. Not all of Steinsaltz’s writings focus on Chabad mysticism, but this book is about Rabbi Shneur Zalman’s view of mysticism. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
An Explanation of the Famous Book ‘Tanya’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionIn this week’s Torah reading, Eikev, we are commanded to go in the ways of Hashem and to “cling to Him.” How are we to cling to what we just learned last week in Va’eschanan 4:24 is, figuratively, an “all-consuming fire”? The Sifri tells us we are to do so by clinging to and learning from Talmidei Chachamim, those wise, learned people who have vast Torah knowledge. It is a mitzvah to use our learning from Talmidei Chachamim, those who’ve spent many years refining themselves, the Mesilas Yesharim teaches us, particularly when it comes to our personal growth. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Torah Portion for July 31, 2021 Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Eleven Bnei Menashe couples who immigrated to Israel from northeastern India were remarried in a group ceremony at Shavei Israel’s absorption center near Netanya after completing their formal conversion to Judaism by the Chief Rabbinate. [JNS]
11 Couples From India Re-Marry in Israel Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East
In the July 25, 2001 1 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–Very Good news for 4 Israeli Covid-19 vaccines and treatments.
I–srael signs major cybersecurity agreement with Morocco.
–An Israeli startup converts food waste into useful bioplastics.
–Netflix buys a new Israeli series and Iranians will be able to watch Fauda.
–Five more gold medals for top Israeli gymnast.
–Israeli parachutists mark centenary of the birth of Hanna Szenes.
[Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (July 25, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Judeo-Christian theology espouses an immanent, loving God, a celestial coach rooting for each individual’s spiritual growth. Scripture is filled with reminders of this abundant love, with prayers and rituals offering myriad opportunities for returning God’s grace with grateful service. On the other hand, Biblical stories are rife with descriptions of disastrous cause-and-effect chain reactions resulting from arrogance, indifference and infidelity. God’s love includes challenging us with real life responses to our choices. The secret of true love is tough love, the presence of consequences. But it all starts with love. [Sam Glaser]
Spiritual Parenting: The Gift of a Reprimand Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Sam GlaserThese entirely poetic passages are attributed to Isaiah II, [1] after 538 BCE when Emperor Cyrus released the Judean Babylonian exiles, to return to Judea.
It is the first of seven haftorot after the 9th of Av, designated as prophecies of consolation, preceding a special haftorah on the Sabbath before Yom Kiippur. These haftorat have no connection to their corresponding Torah parashot readings. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Haftorah Reading for July 24, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion