This essay covers: In Utero ‘fighting’ between twins; selling of a birthright; adultery punishment; contention over water; competition for father’s blessing. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Comparing Torah (Toledot) with Ancient Practices Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
The book Places in the Parasha is a very good book, with chapters for each of the more than fifty Torah readings in synagogues on the Shabbat as well as the special readings on holidays. It identifies the location of places mentioned in the portions and gives us information about these places. As a result, we learn more about what the Torah is saying and get a deeper understanding of the events that are mentioned. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Mapping the Bible, Correcting Misconceptions Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion
Following are academic and popular programs of Jewish interest that will be available on the Internet Nov. 22-26. All times are Pacific Standard Time. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Streaming Jewish Programs (Nov. 22-26, 2020) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Middle East, USA
With all the election stress, COVID stress, societal stress, marital and family stress, stress of kids at home, stress about increasing crime, stress about racial divisiveness and financial stress swirling about, wouldn’t a love story right about now be welcome? Welcome Toldot, a magnificent parasha filled with wisdom about love. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
The love story of Isaac and Rebecca Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has reported the hate crimes are on the increase in the United States, prompting quick reaction from a variety of Jewish organizations. Here is alphabetical order are news releases from some of those reactions [Press Releases follow]
Jewish organizations react to FBI hate crimes report Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, USA
The Secure Community Network (SCN) has developed a new training program to help combat extremist and terrorist actions in Jewish communities in the Diaspora, focusing on active threat response and emergency life-saving responses.As the official safety and security organization of the leading US Jewish umbrella groups Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and the Conference
SCN develops training program in case of attacks on synagogues, schools Read More »
Jewish Religion, USAIt is tragic even bizarre that most rabbis today sermonize by quoting Midrashim as if what the Midrash states, despite being contrary to nature, actually occurred. They also quote the views of mystics, but not rational thinkers such as Maimonides other than to quote a legal view of his that parallels those of mystics, leading congregants to think that the rabbi is teaching them what Judaism wants them to know. They do not tell congregants that Midrashim are parables, stories designed like Aesop’s fables to make us think. They do not encourage congregants to think. They are, in essence, anti-rational. In view of this tragic practice, it is a good idea to view the ideas of some rational Jewish thinkers such as Gersonides. He was not of the intellectual level as Maimonides, but he was a thinker and will prompt us to think as well. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Wisdom of Gersonides Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Kindness and bravery are the themes of two books for children published in time for Hanukkah: Nicky & Vera and Eight Knights of Hanukkah. [Marcia Berneger]
New Children’s Books Emphasize Kindness, Bravery Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger
The Australian coal mining city of Newcastle now has a rabbi for the first time in 60 years, with Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Yossi Rodal taking up the post, the Australian Jewish News reported.Established in 1905, Newcastle’s Jewish community is one of the oldest in Australia, and while the city is now one of the country’s largest
After 60 years, the Jews in Australia’s coal capital have a rabbi Read More »
International, Jewish Religion
Everything accomplished by the Patriarchs and Matriarchs is a signpost for us going forward. They demonstrated the correct path and help us along it by having been trailblazers. Sarah didn’t truly die because her progeny are still alive. Sarah had a glorious career during which she and her life partner brought the awareness of the One G-d to a scattered and morally bankrupted populace. She helped changed the world. This can be seen because she successfully reared Yitzchak. Yitzchak would do Avraham and Sarah proud – he carried on with their legacy, successfully passing it on to Yaakov, father of the 12 Tribes of Israel. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
Abraham, Sarah provided signposts for humanity Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-RabbiThe story about Isaac is said to have taken place about 4000 years ago. In those times, women didn’t have an important role in what happened, especially to them. Husbands were chosen for them and their main job was to care for their children.The story about Rebecca is special because not only does her family ask her if she wants to go with the servant (a total stranger taking her to some unknown man in a far-away city)), but she then goes against what they wanted to do. Instead of staying with her family for ten more days, she agrees to step into the unknown future and go with the servant. [Marcia Berneger]
Torah for Children: Be Brave Read More »
Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger
today axes have another use besides those mentioned in the Tanach, according to Devon Doane of Axeventures in the North Park community of San Diego. They provide a fun way to relieve stress, as is demonstrated in the video above. [Sandi Masori]
Throwing axes: a fun way to relieve stress Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Sports & Competitions, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Israel is described as a racist country by its detractors. A sizable sector of Israel’s population currently lives in small, crowded apartments in poor, segregated, urban neighborhoods, where their extended families, synagogues, and institutions are located. They constitute about 12% of Israel’s population and most are counted below the poverty line. About half of the men are unemployed. Most of the families are dependent on government aid to supplement their meager incomes. They are prone to riot when they feel threatened by laws promulgated to the general population, often causing police intervention. They are the ultra-Orthodox, known here as the Haredim. Mainstream media coverage of this sector generally depicts them in negative terms. [Steve Kramer]
Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox Conundrum Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Steve KramerThis essay covers: Abraham’s negotiation to buy Cave of Machpelah; Abraham’s servant’s pledge to find a wife for Isaac in Abraham’s land of origin; the custom of nose-rings. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Comparing Torah (Hayyei Sarah) with Ancient Practices Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion