Items in today’s column include:
*The Chagim bring interesting experiences
*Political bytes
*Mazel tov! Mazel tov!
*Coming Our Way
(To read this column, please click on the headline.)
Our Shtetl San Diego County: October 7, 2019 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
Two Talmudic sages lived around 130 CE and disagreed on how to interpret the Bible. Rabbi Akiva won out, and Rashi, Nachmanides, and most ancient Bible commentators as well as most Midrashim follow his view. Others, such as Rashi’s grandson Rashbam, Abraham ibn Ezra, and Maimonides interpret the Torah as Rabbi Ishmael did. (To read more, please click on the headline.)
Two rabbinic leaders disputed Torah in ancient times Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion
Sefer Devarim, the last “book” of Torah, is also called Deuteronomy because it contains many laws (1) that were not presented earlier and are especially relevant to the conquering and settlement of Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel). Commanded to conquer and “take possession” of Canaan, the Jewish people were apparently having doubts about whether this was possible, what it would cost in lives, if they would be successful, and what they should do with the Canaanites.
Contemporary Israelis ask similar questions. Although the words of Torah guide our lives, some have a political meaning today, and may be, for some, controversial. (To read more, please click on headline.)
Sefer Devarim and Jewish Sovereignty Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East
Kol Nidre meaning all vows is an 8th century Talmudic legal document written to seek annulment of broken personal religious vows to God. It is in Aramaic, as is the Kaddish, and as a legal document there is no mention of God. Vows were taken very seriously, and supplicants appeared before three wise men (rabbinic court) and recited the Kol Nidre words three times to void their vows This ritual was practiced for centuries and eventually was added to the prayer book. Since it is not a prayer, it was placed before the actual beginning of Yom Kippur evening service. (To read more, please click headline.)
Mystery of Kol Nidre unfolded Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
According to the tale, the Rabbi of Nemirov, who was a much beloved spiritual leader in his community, would disappear every year prior to Kol Nidre, the holiest night on the Jewish calendar. And every year, as the entire community would gather together for the service, their beloved Rabbi was nowhere to be found. (To read more, please click on the headline)
A folktale about the disappearing rabbi Read More »
Jewish ReligionLike Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur does not exist in the Bible. It replaces another day known as Yom Hakippurim. Yom Kippur is singular, “day of atonement,” while Yom Hakippurim is plural, “day of atonements.” The biblical Yom Hakippurim is mentioned in Leviticus 16:29–31, 23:27–32, and Numbers 29:7–11. No work was permitted on this day, special sacrifices were offered, and the Israelites were obliged to te’anu et nafshoteikhem. This is improperly translated as “you must afflict your souls.” (To read more, please click on the headline.)
Yom Kippur and What the Romans Destroyed Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
This passage led me to explore whether other ancient conquerors also made such a claim that their gods marched with them. In exploring the internet, I found no such claims for other nations. There, in fact, is the story in II Kings 3:27 that King Mesha of Moab, about to suffer a military defeat, sacrificed his eldest son, followed by withdrawal of the appalled enemy.
The Internet did yield a review of the military mights of “10 of the Greatest Ancient Warrior Cultures…” Hereby I offer you a sample of their military actions. (To read more, please click on the headline).
Notes on Torah reading for October 5, 2019 Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle East
Remember leaving services last Yom Kippur, the grandeur of Neilah upon us, filled with promises to live better lives? Yet so soon afterwards many old habits reemerged – maybe even before that first morsel of food was swallowed, after the long fast. Like January’s New Year’s resolutions to “eat less and move more” that quickly fade before February, we make promises to transform during the Days of Awe, that are fleeting and short-lived. We’re human. We are filled with introspection, we repent, we make promises, and then fall asleep until the next Yom Kippur. And here we are again. (To read more, please click on headline.)
D’var Torah for October 5, 2019 Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Items in this column include:
*Preventing Gun Violence topic for Yom Kippur
*Political Bytes
*Book ‘Em
Our Shtetl San Diego County: October 1, 2019 Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
Items in today’s column include:
*Bry says San Diego can be largest city with 100 percent renewable energy reliance
*Christmas and Chanukah offerings at San Diego Oasis
Our Shtetl San Diego: September 30, 2019 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food
Jews around the world will once again hear the sound of the shofar as Rosh Hashanah is celebrated this week. The shofar is typically made of a ram’s horn, but in Yemenite tradition the horn of a kudu is used. The shofar ceremony comprises two blessings followed by a series of blasts consisting of three different notes: tekiah–one long blast, shevarim–three broken sounds, and teruah–nine staccato notes. The total number of blasts is traditionally 100 for Ashkenazic Jews and 101 for Sephardim, with Yemenite Jews sounding 41 blasts. The shofar has also made appearances in popular movies, songs, and television programs, including which of the following? (To read more, please click the headline)
Jewish Trivia Quiz: The Shofar Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire“Our Father, Our King,” grant blessings on the Jewish people and all mankind in this Hebrew year of 5780.
Many people, secular and religious, of different cultures and worldviews, have attempted to calculate the age of the world. There is no agreement between them, simply because it is an impossible task. Christians, Muslims, and Jews have tried to do the calculation based on a literal reading of the Bible and have come up with different times. The following shows the impossibility by focusing on the widely used Jewish version.
Actual year of Hebrew calendar quite debatable Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Items in this column include:
*Gun Show this weekend and next year seem a legal certainty
*Political dots and dashes
*Jewish community conundrum: safety vs. welcoming the stranger
*Laura Walcher shares lighter memories of the ate George Mitrovich
*A speaking engagement at Congregation Beth Israel
*As we enter the Jewish New Year
Our Shtetl San Diego County: September 27, 2019 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego Calendar, San Diego County