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]
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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, USA
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
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 Religion
This 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 & SatireThe current observance of Shavuot has no relationship to its biblical ancestor and doesn’t even occur at the same time. Very few people know the truth about this day. Most Jews think Shavuot recalls the day the Torah was revealed to the Israelites during the days of Moses. This is not true. This significance was given to the holiday in the middle ages when the holiday had lost one of its original purposes; the sacrifice prescribed for the day was discontinued when the second Temple was destroyed in 70 CE. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Modern Shavuot Is Not a Biblical Holiday Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionIn the May 9, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
-New Israeli treatment allows multiple myeloma patients to get bone transplants.
-Israeli kidney specialist donates his own kidney.
-Israeli leaders host Muslims for Ramadan events.
-Israel’s next astronaut will supervise 44 Israeli space experiments.
-An Israeli startup is recycling worn out car tires.
-An Israeli consultancy is project managing a new industrial zone in Dubai.
-Unique videos, photos and a new discovery to help celebrate Jerusalem Day.
[Michael Ordman]
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Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, USA
Writers posting on social media are debating whether Rabbi Chalom Boudjnah of the Chabad House at San Diego State University was too kind and forgiving of students who stole photographs and other personal effects from the combination prayer space and residence hall at 6115 Montezuma Road. [Donald H. Harrison]
Is Chabad Rabbi at SDSU Too Kind to Burglars? Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyThis week we read a double portion, BeHar and BiChukotai, which mean ‘On the Mountain’, and ‘In My Statutes,’ respectively. In the first portion we learn many of the particulars and strictures associated with the Sabbatical year and the Jubilee year. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: Trusting G-d to Provide Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-RabbiThis poetic text of this week’s Haftorah reading indicates Jeremiah’s commitment to God, despite his failures to successfully correct Judea’s wayward behaviors. The background is the coming destruction of the Southern Kingdom and Solomon’s Temple, with exile of their leaders by Babylon. Jeremiah’s prophesy career is experienced as repeated rejection. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Haftorah Reading for May 8, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion