By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — One of the famous and most important questions asked about Hanukkah reads: What is Hanukkah? [i.e., “Why do we celebrate Hanukkah?”]. The question strikes a modern reader as odd. Surely, the Jews must have known about the holiday’s significance for several centuries! On the surface, one […]
What historic sources say about Chanukah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Donald H. Harrison CHULA VISTA, California — Temple Beth Shalom celebrated the fifth night of Chanukah Dec. 1 in both ancient and modern style. “Chanukah” is a Hebrew word meaning “dedication” as when the Maccabees rededicated the ancient Temple in Jerusalem in 167 BCE after it had been defiled by the Syrian
Rapping through Chanukah Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — I often get asked the questions, “What is the symbolism of the dreidel? What exactly is its origin?” The dreidel is a four cornered top that was popular in the medieval era and originally used for gambling. Jewish folklore purports that when the Syrians prohibited the
Symbolism of the dreidel and other Chanukah lore Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — The good-natured jostling about the uncommon calendar convergence this fall of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving leaves one with the taste of emotional leftovers. The Festival of Lights deserves more than being hyphenated every year with another holiday. Its themes and narrative are more powerful and redemptive than the commercial
Chanukah is not about turkey or tinsel Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–On Wednesday evening I was among 1,000 Jewish men who were privileged to hear former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, speak at the annual UJF Men’s Event. Among other comments, Ambassador Oren said that today there are two great centers of Jewish life: Israel and North America.
Israel and the Diaspora: Jewish concepts are changing Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — In his Torahmusings, R. Gill Student cites an endorsement of R. Steinsaltz’s translation from R. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb. His comments are especially important for anyone interested in the science of translation as it pertains to the translation of the Talmud: Every translation is to some extent a
Two digital versions of the Talmud compete Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — This past week, I went to the local sushi bar for some Nova Scotia sushi rolls. While I was there, I noticed the large screen television featuring a bout that took place at Wrestlemania. Despite some of the usual shtick, the bad guy won fair and
Man doesn’t find spiritual connection by intellect alone Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — In the early years of his life the patriarch, Jacob, was not a paragon of virtue. He came out of Rebecca’s womb hanging on to the heel of his older twin, Esau. He tried, in vain, to keep Esau from becoming the first born. A few years later,
Who did Jacob fight throughout the night? Read More »
Jewish ReligionNEW YORK (Press Release)– The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed disappointment that George W. Bush has decided to move ahead with plans to speak at a fundraising event in Texas for an evangelical group that aims to convert Jews to Christianity. The former president is scheduled to speak on November 14 at a fundraiser for the
ADL ‘disappointed’ Bush to address ‘Messianic Jews’ Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Both Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung point out that it is through dreams we can better understand the unconscious mind. “Dreams” said Freud, “are the royal road to the unconscious.” The Talmud itself attests, “A dream that it is not interpreted is like a letter that
The two dreams of Jacob Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–After Jacob tricked Isaac into giving him Esau’s blessing, Jacob fled to Haran to escape his brother’s wrath. One night he stopped to rest. He lay his head on a stone, fell asleep, and dreamed. In his dream he saw a ladder with angels going up and down. God appeared
The care of holy places Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO –It started as a joke. I was on the way out the door to work one day when my wife told me to take my hat and raincoat. “It’s going to rain today” I said, “But it’s nice out now. I’ll take my chances.” I came home soaked. A
Who makes the rain, daddy? Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Rabbi Kamin’s interesting article on the subject of Halloween reminded me of many of my own childhood experiences. Is Halloween “permitted”? Is the children’s ritual of “Trick and Treating,” considered forbidden because it emulates the practices of the non-Jewish world? Many years ago, a learned colleague
Halloween superstitious? How about tefillin and mezuzot? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Sharing is a difficult concept for young children to understand and embrace. “Mine!” When my older grandson was around 18 months old, I brought him to our Shekhter Playground while preschool was in session. He made a beeline for one of the toy trucks. When another toddler eagerly
The spiritual battle between Jacob and Esau Read More »
Jewish Religion