Moses goes on to describe how to help those in need. Every third year, part of a farms harvest is to be left in the field for the poor, so that “the Lord your God may bless you in all” you do. If there is a “needy person among you…open your hand and lend him” enough “for whatever he needs…and…God will bless. You in all your efforts and in all your undertakings.” [Marcia Berneger]
Torah for Children: Helping others Read More »
Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger
Is your glass half empty, half filled, or as mine is, filled with 6 ounces of water? Yes, “the link is what you think,” and this week’s Torah reading underscores this idea with its words, “See, this day I set before you a blessing and a curse…” Couldn’t this pasuk have begun, “This day I set before you blessing and curse…”? Why begin with “See”?[Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Seeing and choosing the righteous path Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellIt’s Hanukkah in August as we take a look at two enjoyable holiday stories. [Marcia Berneger]
Children’s books for early Hanukkah shoppers Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger
Halpern will become only the second hockey player to be inducted into the Jewish Sports Heritage Association, joining Mike Hartman, who played 58 of his 397 career games with the 1992- 93 Lightning during nine NHL seasons. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also has been so honored. The induction ceremony at Temple Israel of Lawrence on Long Island, New York., was originally planned for April 26, but the Coronavirus pandemic forced cancellation of the program until 2021, at a date to be announced. Among this year’s other inductees are former Boston Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis, former NBA Commissioner David Stern, author Mitch Albom, boxing analyst Al Bernstein, and the late Ed Sabol and his son, Steve, co-founders of NFL Films. [Bruce F. Lowitt]
NHL’s Halpern a Jewish sports honoree Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Sports & Competitions, USA
We reported on Monday that Hillel International had announced a new nationwide initiative to combat antisemitism. Today, we’ve learned that StandWithUs, which has an active chapter in San Diego, has launched a new division called “Rabbis United.” (Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison)
StandWithUs launches ‘Rabbis United’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
People are worried about jobs, rallies, protests and yes riots. The real question now is it more important to open up the world than to live.? Is it worth partying on the beach, drinking alcohol in mass at a bar or living for a future time? Young people are dying and many are killing their parents by bringing the virus in their homes. Wake up. It is your life. Do not take it for granted. And this advice applies to those considering High Holy Day services as well. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
High Holy Day worship during the pandemic Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Jewish Religion, USA
I read an article by a professor who wanted to show that science and religion are similar. I think that the support he offers for his view is simplistic and, worse, it is wrong. The professor argued that both science and religion have the same outlook and are therefore alike. Both, he wrote, marvel at the universe and enjoy what they see. (Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin)
Science and religion are quite different Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & EducationFollowing the loss and destruction of the 1st Temple in Jerusalem in the year 70 C.E., the rabbis decided the Jewish home should be a Mikdash m’at—a “miniature temple”—a holy space where the Shechina (Gd’s Presence) would live. How does one make a Jewish home? Let me share with you this little piece I found: [Rabbi Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
The Jewish home beautiful Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles
The world has a saying, “The devil is in the details.” That is understood to mean that those details that many feel are minutiae, are actually quite important – essential even to achieving success. As Jews we look to the Torah for life-guiding wisdom. In this case we are saying that, “The G-dliness is in the details!” When we are mindful of the fine points of a Torah observant life we will indeed experience incredible blessings. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: Blessings for those who do Mitzvot Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
JERUSALEM (Press Release) – Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, one of the greatest commentators on Judaism of our generation, died Friday in Jerusalem, aged 83, after suffering from acute pneumonia. Rabbi Steinsaltz was born in Jerusalem in 1937. After graduating in chemistry and physics from the Hebrew University, he began his career as an educator and
Adin Steinsaltz, translator of Talmud, other Jewish texts Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorialsIf everything is good, it is easy to take it for granted that the good will always continue no matter what one does. Moses warns the people to continue following God’s laws. If they stray, if they decide they don’t have to do what the Torah tells them to do, then God will grow angry. Moses reminds them to be thankful and never forget: what God has given them, God can also take away. [Marcia Berneger]
Torah for children: Be thankful Read More »
Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger
Three themes dominate this enjoyable and informative memoir by a South African-born author who lived in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States before settling with her husband and three children in Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jodi Samuels’ memoir: ‘Chutzpah, Wisdom and Wine’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Travel and Food, USA
A compilation by Laurie Baron, Ph.D., of lectures on a variety of Jewish subjects ranging from music to history to contemporary affairs.
Streaming Jewish Lectures, Aug. 9-13 Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
I have chosen four passages for intended comparison with texts from ancient Israel’s pagan neighbors regarding patience, living on bread alone, giants, and powerless gods. (Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Ancient practices: patience, living on bread alone, giants, powerless gods Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion