Jewish views of Satan and demons
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin […]
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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionJewish Religion
Taking part in the Pride parade
By Rabbi Joshua Dorsch SAN DIEGO — This Shabbat, Tifereth Israel will be marching in the San Diego Pride Parade. Together, we will celebrate and support the LGBTQ community and our society’s journey towards equality and acceptance, both legally, as well as in all of our hearts and minds. Over the years there has been
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Jewish Religion, San Diego CalendarNotes on Torah reading for July 13
Hukkat (Numbers: Chapters 19-21, v.1) By Irv Jacobs, M.D. LA JOLLA, California —Commentators loved to comment on and justify the laws in the Torah. In most cases, they reasonably understood the logic of individual laws, as they made sense. However there are some laws that defy logic. Though the rabbis attempted explanations, they eventually threw
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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionHow 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 ReligionThe myths behind Judaism’s summer fasts
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA
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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish ReligionBeth Israel’s search for a rabbi to be July 17 topic
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — The search for a new senior rabbi will be a principal topic for Congregation Beth Israel’s new president, Kimberly Carnot, when she addresses the Beth Israel Men’s Club at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 17. Rabbi Michael Berk retired at the end of the fiscal year, a day before Carnot took
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Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyCantor 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 CountyBook 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 ReligionWhy Jews should distrust Cory Booker
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — One of the Democratic candidates running for President is Cory Booker, the former Newark mayor who later was elected to the U.S. Senate. Booker has had a long relationship with the Jewish community. He once headed Jewish student societies while a student at the University at
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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, USANotes on Torah reading for June 29, 2019
By Irvin H. Jacobs, MD, MPH, MFA LA JOLLA, California — This week’s Torah portion, Shelah-Lekha (Numbers Chapters 13-15), deals largely with an expedition of twelve men chosen by Moses to scout the promised land, for its attraction and likelihood of conquest by the wandering Israelites. Two scouts, Joshua and Caleb, reported the land was
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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionThe role of a chevra kadisha in San Diego
By Menachem Posner Chabad.org/news SAN DIEGO — A central organ of Jewish communal life is the chevra kadisha, the “sacred society” that performs the final rites for the Jewish deceased. In larger communities, the chevra kadisha may contain dozens of volunteers or paid staff. In smaller communities, however, it is usually a small, dedicated group
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Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyYoung Israel sponsors ‘Health through Torah’ programs
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — The World Health Organization reports that in 2019 more than 141 million children will be born: 73 million boys and 68 million girls. Based on recent mortality risks the boys will live, on average, 69.8 years and the girls 74.2 years. What’s this have to do with a synagogue-based,
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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, San Diego Calendar, Science, Medicine, & EducationOnion rings and memories of courtship
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – I received an e- mail advertisement on Friday saying that tomorrow Saturday, June 22, is National Onion Ring Day. I have no idea how such days get to be declared, or who, for that matter, gets to declare them. However, I take the Black Bear Diner’s word for
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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Travel and FoodNotes on the Torah reading for June 22
Charm, Kindness, and Mischief in Beha’ Alotakha (Numbers: Chapters 8-12) By Irvin H. Jacobs, MD, MPH, MFA LA JOLLA, California — The reading is busy, but here are a few nuggets to tickle one’s sentiments. I. Chapter 8, v. 7 describes the process of prepping Levites for their duties, which were to maintain and transport
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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion