Jewish Religion

National Library of Israel Releases Rare Photographs of Sukkot During 1973 War

(JNS) Nearly 50 years after the Yom Kippur War, the National Library of Israel has released a number of rare photos showing how the festival of Sukkot, or “Feast of Tabernacles,” was celebrated during the conflict, even as war raged in the Sinai and the Golan Heights. Also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, the […]

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Jewish Religion, Middle East

Sukkot’s Convergence with Autumn

As Jews we have a special convergence occurring this week.  Our Sukkot festival coincides with the northern hemisphere’s beginning of the fall season.  As the second day of Sukkot overlaps with the Autumnal equinox, I point to this with the hope that it will inspire us to be more mindful of nature, the rich bounty of our growing season, and the blessing – yet fragility – of our earthly habitat.   [Dan Tomsky]

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Jewish Religion

Are There anti-Orthodox Views in Ecclesiastes?

Kohelet (also spelled Qohelet), Ecclesiastes in Greek and now English, is read during the holiday of Sukkot. We do not know why this book was chosen from among the books of the Bible called The Writings. A popular explanation is that Sukkot is a happy holiday and Ecclesiastes is read to add a calming, some sobriety. The following is my review of The Anchor Bible commentary of the book. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Questions to Ponder During Sukkot

Rabbi Abraham Chill (1912-2004) gives readers of his book The Minhagim, Hebrew for customs and ceremonies, a very readable discussion of many Jewish practices, focusing on 27 holidays and events: synagogue, Shabbat, Rosh Hodesh, Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavuot, Tisha B’Av, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Tu B’Shevat, Purim, marriage, birth, pidyin haben, bar mitzvah, tallit and tzitzit, tefillin, keriat shema, shemoneh esreh, birkhat kohanim, tahanun, Torah reading, ein k’elohenu, meals, mezuzah, and death and mourning. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin}

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

A Jewish Perspective on the Pandemic

Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel, spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista,  has created a pearl of a book that I highly recommend. It is a fascinating, encompassing, very erudite and broad in scope. Rather than just Covid, or Judaic angle, this is a general book that reflects on the question of religion and the benevolent God in the presence of so much human misery, natural disasters and plagues. [Bar-Giora Goldberg]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion

Haftorah Reading for September 25, 2021

Except for an opening prose sentence of introduction, this haftorah is entirely classical ancient Hebrew poetry/song. Nominally, it is David’s closing hymn of victory and thanksgiving to God who had ‘saved’ him from all enemies, particularly Saul. With minor textual variations, the whole hymn is also found in Psalm 18. [1] Historically we don’t know which text came first. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]

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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion

Good News from Israel (September 19, 2021)

NETANYA, Israel — In the Sept. 19, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include: 
–3 million Israelis have had their Covid antibodies boosted tenfold.
–Israeli surgeons successfully separate twins conjoined by their heads.
–Israel’s first female Muslim IDF Major.
–An Israeli startup converts text into video read by an animated narrator.
–The value of Israel’s trade with Arab states in 2021 is triple that of 2020.
–Israeli pianist wins international record contract.
–The Land of Israel reveals more Jewish history. [Michael Ordman]

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Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Pope Francis is Wrong: The Laws of the Torah Do Give Life

(JNS) Pope Francis’s recent claim that the Torah “does not give life, it does not offer the fulfillment of the promise” has raised hackles across the Jewish world. This week, Pope Francis sought to alleviate concerns over his comments; according to Cardinal Kurt Koch, who oversees Vatican relations with Jews, the pope made it known

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Jewish Religion

Comparing Events in the Bible with Those in Former Ancient Documents

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — It should surprise no one that there are multiple examples of similar events in the Bible and former ancient documents, such as an early tale of the flood written long before the story of Noah, because as Solomon wrote, “There is nothing new under the sun,”

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Yom Kippur Invites Us to Discover Our Purpose

On Yom Kippur we are “judged by God,” but it is also a time when we judge ourselves – a time for self-examination. Have we lived up to our potential? Have we fulfilled the purpose for which we were born? Are we doing what God expects of us? Are we doing His will? These ever-relevant questions are focused on the essential question:  How does my life have meaning and purpose? [Moshe Dann, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion

A Clear, Readable, Engaging Guide to Maimonides

Maimonides’ Hidden Torah Commentary — Exodus 22-40 by Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel; First Edition Design Publishing 2021; ‎ISBN: 9781506-904610; 386 pages; $24.95. By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — “Maimonides’ Hidden Torah Commentary — Exodus 22-40″ is a very informative book. Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel, spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion