Jewish Religion

How the Bible has been used in U.S. history

Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land, The Hebrew Bible in the United States: A Sourcebook by M. Y. Soloveichik, M. Holbreich, J. Silver, and S. W. Halpern, editors, The Toby Press, New Milford CT, © 2019, ISBN 978-1-59264-465-0, p. 344, $29.95. By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California – Historians generally acknowledge the importance of the Protestant pulpit […]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion

Weekly Torah portion: Balak

By Rabbi Joshua Dorsch SAN DIEGO — This week, in Parashat Balak, Bilam is sent by the Moabite King Balak to curse the Israelites. After a series of rather peculiar events, instead of cursing them, Bilam offers the Israelite camp what traditional biblical commentators consider to be a blessing. He says “How goodly are your

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Jewish Religion

How later rabbis distorted the Rambam’s teachings

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The “Yeshiva world,” is comprised for the most part of schools where far-right rabbis teach Jewish students their view of Judaism, a religion that rejects secular studies as harmful and heretical. Many far-right rabbis respect Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah, his code of Jewish laws, but not his

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion

Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel’s shares his songs

SAN DIEGO — Here is a collection of songs recorded by Cantor Sheldon Merel during his tenure as cantor at Congregation Beth Israel.  Click on any title to hear Cantor Merel’s recorded rendition.  In some cases, the songs are accompanied by an explanatory article indicated by a date alongside. Adon Olam Adon Olam, Jazz Version

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Book prompts Jewish rationalism vs. mysticism debate

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Maimonides: Between Philosophy and Halakhah: Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s Lectures on the Guide of the Perplexed is interesting because it shows the basic ideas of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s thinking. But readers should not suppose that they will gain an insight into the teachings of Maimonides or even some

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion