…The text does not tell us to be just, and to do what is just, but rather to pursue it. It recognizes the complexities involved with justice. The Torah does not want us to avoid or dismiss these complexities, but rather asks that we struggle with them.
This Week’s Torah Portion: Shoftim Read More »
Jewish Religion
Items in today’s column
*Melvin Garb Foundation helps Temple Beth Shalom refurbish
*Igbo people of Nigeria count Jews among them
Our Shtetl San Diego: September 5, 2019 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County, USA
…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….
Bardot Foundation fights kosher and halal slaughter Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish Religion
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.
Notes on Torah reading for September 7, 2019 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
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
Our Shtetl San Diego: September 3, 2019 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego Calendar, San Diego County, USA
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
Reform Judaism condemns Trump’s ‘hate speech’ Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
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
Some Secrets of the Jewish Calendar Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Although there is no proof that other humans existed, it is reasonable to suppose that Adam, Eve, and their three sons were not the only humans during the early post creation years. One of the biblical writing methods, is not to reveal everything, to leave it
Were Adam and Eve and family alone on Earth? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Michael Berk Times of San Diego SAN DIEGO — Lately I have taken umbrage at President Trump’s intrusion into an aspect of Jewish culture that is not well understood outside the Jewish community, and at the same time is a key to Jewish persistence throughout history. Since Jewish survival is a mystery, and
Note to President Trump: We Jews love to argue Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
By Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel ENCINITAS, California — The distinguished Rabbi Richard N. Levy paid tribute to his colleague, Cantor William Sharlin in recognition of 30 years as originator and Director of the Department of Music at the Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles. “William, you taught me the difference between davening and singing, between
Biography recalls Cantor William Sharlin’s career Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson TROYES, France — Several years ago I was told that I really ought to visit the French town of Troyes (pronounced ‘Trois,’ like the number three in French), since it is a charming medieval town. It is also the birthplace of Rashi, the great twelfth century commentator on the Bible and the
A visit to Rashi’s home town Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish Religion
Parasha Re’eh Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh Elul, begins the season of “cheshbon hanefesh,” a sacred task involving an “accounting of the soul.” It’s no coincidence, of course, that the parasha we read, Re’eh, begins: See (look), I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the
D’var Torah for August 31, 2019 Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellRe’Eh Deuteronomy Chapters 11:26-16:17 By Irv Jacobs, M.D. LA JOLLA, California — This parsha focuses on blessings and curses, in anticipation of behavior after entering the promised land. I have chosen a few passages, clashing with, or at least puzzling to, modern sentiments. I. Deuteronomy, Ch. 12: vv. 2-3 Moses commands, “You must destroy all
Notes on Torah reading for August 31, 2018 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Professor Chaim Waxman, a prominent and highly respected sociologist of contemporary Orthodoxy, has made a superb assessment of the history, development, and current and future situation of Orthodoxy in his relatively short but comprehensive 178-page book, Social Change and Halakhic Evolution in American Orthodoxy, with 48
Orthodox Jewry Is Changing Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion