By Mark Thomas ALPINE, California — When you’re raised in a Christian home you naturally have a conflict with Judaism, because the claims of Christianity are based on Jewish ideas mixed with Roman ideas about religion. The conflict is obvious, according to the Church, you have to believe Jesus is literally the Son of God […]
His journey to Jewish conversion Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public and private life, including employment, education, transportation and access to all places available to the general public, became law in 1990. On occasion, I find myself giving a ride sharing trip with someone who has a handicap permit. Typically, I am told by the handicapped individual that he will bring the permit so we can make parking a bit easier and closer to the venue we are attending together.
There is no question as to the different reasons why a person is entitled to this placard and the necessity it provides and the validity that it justifies. Nevertheless, for a moment I think to myself, “Hey, that’s great, but wait a minute, Baruch Hashem I don’t have a disability; I should not take advantage of this.” [Rabbi Avraham Bogopulsky]
We should strive to fix our imperfections Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County
This parasha covers Moses’ meetings with Pharaoh, which encounters result in the first seven plagues. I have chosen to pursue two Torah passages, with regard to their originality within ancient literature. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Theophanies and plagues Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
For the first time in over two decades a painting by Marc Chagall will be going up for auction in Israel. Tiroche Auction House will be hosting the Israeli & International Art auction on January 25th – featuring paintings by a number of Israeli masters, including Reuben Rubin, and Yosl Bergner. The highlight of the evening however is Chagall’s Jacob’s Ladder (1970-1974), a theme to which the artist would return at least a dozen times in paintings and drawings. [Sam Ben-Meir, PhD]
Jacob’s Ladder by Chagall up for auction Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sam Ben-Meir
– This week’s parasha, Va’eira, asks us a key question. How do you deal with “kotzer ruach”? It says in the parasha, “Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel, but they did not hearken to Moses because of [their] shortness of breath and because of [their] hard labor” מִקֹּ֣צֶר ר֔וּחַ (Exodus 6:9). [Michael Mantell, PhD]
Emunah and bitachon: faith and trust Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
During evening and morning Shabbat services preceding Martin Luther King Day, Rabbi Josh Dorsch and David Ogul, respectively the rabbi and president of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, read from the pulpit a reflection that congregant Dan Tomsky had extrapolated from the writings of The Rev. Kathleen C. Rolenz, a Unitarian Universalist minister. [Donald H. Harrison]
Shabbat reflections on Rev. Martin Luther King Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Sam Litvin, USA
In recent articles, we have been profiling San Diegans who have been nominated by various slates to serve as delegates to the World Zionist Congress, which will take place in Jerusalem Oct. 20-22 Among the nominees is Rabbi Jeremy Gimbel, the assistant rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]
Gimbel’s WZC goals: ‘Pluralism, peace, economic justice’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USAThis parsha opens the Book of Exodus. It covers the development of enslavement of the Israelites, the early life of Moses, his escape to Midian and marriage there, his recruitment by God to lead the Israelites, and his earliest encounter with Pharaoh. I have chosen to pursue three passages, with regard to their originality in the Torah text. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Bible’s account of Moses’ early life has antecedents Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion– In Exodus 3:11, after God has asked him to go to Pharaoh in Egypt, Moses asks: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should take the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Hashem answers simply, “I will be with you.” Not just with you, near you. But to be one with you, to experience fully your struggle, your anguish and your pain in accomplishing what is being asked of you. Hashem is saying, I believe, “I will be one with you just as you are one with the people for whom you care so much.” [Michael Mantell, PhD]
God pleased with Moses’ compassion, empathy Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Between Jan. 21 and March 11, American Jews may participate in the selection of U.S. delegates to the World Zionist Congress, which will meet in Jerusalem from Oct. 20-22 to help set policy for three major Jewish organizations: the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish National Fund, and the Jewish Agency for Israel. The Congress’s policy decisions will influence how approximately $1 billion is allocated. [Donald H. Harrison]
Balloting begins Jan. 21 for World Zionist Congress Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel is without doubt the best Bible commentary in English. I say this after using over a hundred such books while writing my own books on the Bible, such as my many volumes on the differences between the Hebrew Bible and its Aramaic translation called Onkelos. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Eureka! Koren Tanakh best Bible commentary ever Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion
On 10 of the 17 days we spent on a transcanal cruise between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and San Diego, we celebrated Chanukah. Yes, 10 days of Chanukah. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Cruise ship celebrated Chanukah for 10 days Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Travel and Food
One of the most remarkable traditions that has developed over the last 97 years is the Daf Yomi (a daily study of a page of the Babylonian Talmud), that was first introduced by R. Meir Shapiro. This Polish rabbi wanted to see more laypeople of the Orthodox Jewish communities engage in the Talmud study cycle that takes seven years to complete provided one studies a full page every day. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Daf Yomi: A page of Talmud each day Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan has presented Holocaust Survivor Rose Schindler with an award naming her as a Community Justice Champion. [Donald H. Harrison]
Rose Schindler named a Community Justice Champion Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, USA