Two months into our “cruise” (sans spas and umbrella drinks), it’s January 1985, when we start planning for a battlegroup-wide Passover seder for thirty when we discovered the ship’s supply system was ill-equipped for the task. [Jeff Goldfinger]
The Case of the Missing Matzoh Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA
When Israelis were exiled, they were sent to Babylon, from which Abraham had previously come. There, in Babylon, they dispersed and assimilated until once again, a great hater of Jews arose and sought to destroy them: the arch-antisemite known as Wicked Haman. [Michael Laitman, PhD]
Jewish Unity and Antisemitism, Part V Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion
I attended the bar mitzvah of a young man who recoils from compliments or recognition. So I can’t say who he is, but I can tell you that his friends and relatives are shaking their heads in wonder. The young man turned 14 just two days ago, on March 11. But today it was if he were 13 again. Or so it seemed, because today he finally had his bar mitzvah, which normally occurs when a boy turns 13. [Donald H. Harrison]
A most unusual bar mitzvah Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County
A lot is happening this Shabbos! We have a double portion (described below), a special additional reading, called Parshat HaChodesh, in honor of the upcoming month of Nissan, which is the month that includes Passover. We conclude the Book of Exodus, which is when we proclaim, “Chazak! Chazak! Vi’nit’Chazaik!” (Stronger! Stronger! And we become stronger!) In other words, may we continue to grow in our Torah study! [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: A Very Busy Shabbat Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
This short Haftorah simply lists the components and furnishings of the completed Solomon’s Temple. (Irv Jacobs, M.D.)
Haftorah Reading for March 13, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionOnce they became a nation by vowing to unite “as one man with one heart,” the people of Israel set out to Canaan. Along the way, they had many internal struggles, as well as struggles with external foes. Their growing egos kept challenging them in new ways and they had to find new tactics to overcome them. However, as it is written in The Book of Zohar (BeShalach, item 252), “Anyone who wages a war in the Torah is rewarded with increased peace in the end.” In other words, the wars that the people of Israel fought were over keeping the vow of complete unity. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]
Jewish Unity and Antisemitism, Part IV Read More »
Jewish Religion
What is the value of knowledge if it is not transmitted and shared with others? If we take a look at this week’s Torah readings and follow the path of Betzalel, we may find an answer to that question. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Betzalel Knew How to Build and Teach Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
University of San Diego Prof. Aaron S. Gross, a former president of the Society of Jewish Ethics, on Tuesday cited four reasons why industrialized farming of animals – especially chickens — is likely to be the cause of a future pandemic. [Donald H. Harrison]
USD Professor: Food factories May Be Next Source of Pandemic Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USAIn this article, we will explore Moses’ efforts to reunite the tormented and enslaved people and thereby redeem them from their oppressors and bring them out of Egypt. We will also show that once they united and were redeemed, they were tasked with being “a light unto nations,” namely to pass on their unity to the rest of the world. [Mijchael Laitman, Ph.D]
Jewish Unity and Antisemitism, Part III Read More »
Jewish Religion
What’s worse?
1) The decision of the Israeli Supreme Court, authorizing the conversions to Judaism by Conservative and Reform Rabbis in Israel? 2) The onset of investigations against Israel for war crimes by the International Criminal Court? 3) The opening of Israeli schools in all grades, as well as shopping centers, restaurants, coffee houses, bars, theaters, and halls for weddings and Bar Mitvot, as well as the opening of Israel’s borders to 4,000 per day of returning Israelis and the weakening of what had been screening by a government committee of applicants and allowing the return of some 600 per day? [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]
Three major controversies ahead of Israel’s election Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle EastBy and large, we are taught that Israel’s time in Egypt was a nightmare—that they were enslaved and tormented there until they had no choice but to escape in the dead of night. Yet, this is a very incomplete representation of the picture. [Michael Laitman]
Jewish Unity and Antisemitism, Part II Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion
Often when I hear people wanting to destroy statues of historical figures and burn books of authors who mentioned something they considered wrong, even though these men and women also did good things and are part of our history, I wonder what they would do with the Hebrew Bible if they found out that all the men and women mentioned in the Hebrew Bible arguably did something wrong, such as King David’s adultery. The only totally innocent good man in the Hebrew Bible is Job, and that story according to many rabbis and scholars is just a parable. By pointing out the wrongs, the Torah is telling us that the biblical heroes were humans like us. The Bible does not expect any human to never do wrong. We should learn from these narratives to strive to be as good as we can be. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Thomas Jefferson, Religion, and the Cancel Culture Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, USAThe editor of one of the papers where I write regular op-eds requested more information on my message that if Jews are not united, they bring on themselves antisemitism. Specifically, he wanted to know my sources for making this argument so insistently. He is correct; people need to know where ideas come from, especially ones that are hard to swallow. Therefore, I have decided to write a series of articles that explain where Jews come from and why they have always been hated, with a few brief exceptions that also didn’t end well. [Michael Laitman]
On Jewish Unity and Antisemitism Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion
NETANYA, Israel — In the March 7, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
90% of Israel’s high-risk citizens are now protected against Covid-19.
The first woman-led billion-dollar Israeli company.
The UAE’s first Ambassador to Israel arrived in the Jewish State.
An Israeli kit transforms tractors into self-driving vehicles.
Israel is one of the world’s leaders in telecommuting.
An Israeli chess competition attracted players from many Muslim countries including Iran.
Israeli superheroes brought joy to sick children on the Jewish festival of Purim [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (March 7, 2021) Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast