By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — As I read the opening words of this week’s parasha, I found them to especially appropriate: “eleh toldot – these are the generations.” While the Torah is speaking about the generations, or story, of Isaac and his decendents, I was applying the words to my own family. This […]
Celebrating the arrivals of baby girls Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — When Yaakov was garbed in Esav’s clothing, he was still polite and respectful of his father. He was still Yaakov inside. His goodness could not be suppressed. The goodness of tzadikim (the righteous) still shines even in the most incongruous situations, as the following true story illustrates: November
Righteousness shines through Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Garry Fabian MELBOURNE, Australia — While the aim in life should be take each day as it comes, and generally always be forward looking, occasionally a significant date brings back a past event into sharp focus. On the 20th November 2012, one such landmark comes sharply into focus for me. Seventy years before, on
Grim 70th anniversary observed by columnist Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK — Here it was, the sixth session of the class which was using the book of Genesis as a source for studying the nature of leadership. It was proving not to be the kind of class in which the teacher lectured and the students listened passively. Rather, it
Why couldn’t Isaac tell Esau and Jacob apart? Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Is revenge or vengeance permissible in Judaism? Has the view of revenge changed over time? Answer: You ask a difficult question and the answer is far from simple. Numerous laws and passages proscribe revenge and vengeance. Conversely, revenge plays an important role in rectifying injustices that occurred. The
What Judaism says about revenge Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Jacob Kamaras/JNS.org BALTIMORE—Rabbi Rick Jacobs, head of the Reform movement’s congregational arm, was an atypical choice as scholar-in-residence for the 2012 Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) General Assembly—by his own admission. “First of all, it’s an honor,” Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), said in an interview with JNS.org in
Jewish Federation pick Reform movement head as its scholar Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion
First in a series By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Natural catastrophes such as a floods or earthquakes are frequently referred to as an “act of God.” A deer crossing in front of a car that causes an accident is also considered an “act of God.” When “acts of God” occur, it exempts
What was God’s role in Hurricane Sandy? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — A few years ago our youngest daughter, Margalit, called us on my day off. “Where are you?” she asked. “At the cemetery,” we replied. “What are you doing there?” she asked. “Picking out graves!” we answered. We freaked her out. While Judy and I were not expecting
Abraham’s experience provides funeral-arrangement lesson Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO–The Slonimer Rebbe, of blessed memory, asked: On Friday night when we sit down to our Shabbos meal the first thing we do is welcome the Angels into our home. ‘Shalom Aleichem! Malachei HaShareis.’ We recite ‘Peace unto you, oh ministering angels.’ Hashem (G-d) sends the holiest guests to our
Welcoming and saying farewell to Shabbat angels Read More »
Jewish Religion
The Philosophy of the Hebrew Scripture by Yoram Hazony, Cambridge University Press, New York; ISBN 978-0-521-17667-5 ©2012, $24.99, p. 273, plus notes and indices. By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California –Placing the word “philosophy” next to the expression “Hebrew Scriptures” seems to be incongruous; after all, philosophy is about using reason to find “truths” to
Shepherds vs farmers: a queston of biblical philosophy Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — When Abraham bargained with God to save the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, he prefaced his challenge by telling God, “Here I venture to speak to my Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.” (Gen. 18:27) With these words Abraham acknowledged the inadequacy of his position and
Abraham demonstrated true humility Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Most of you are familiar with Macbeth, which is considered to be one of the most psychologically gripping plays by Shakespeare. Macbeth tells the story about a Scottish lord named Macbeth, who chooses evil as a means of attaining power. He commits regicide to become king and
In spirit of Halloween, here’s the Witch of Endor Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Paul Foer and Chananette Pascal Cohen/JNS.org Sonya Loya’s path of rediscovery aligns with the journey potentially millions of other “Crypto-Jews” take back to their Jewish roots. Her story, and the stories of others with similar backgrounds, is also still unfolding—with legal action against the Catholic Church as the possible next chapter. Loya—a Hispanic-American woman
B’nei Anousim consider Spanish Inquisition lawsuits Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —There is hardly a day that passes when I don’t marvel at the power of individuals to move mountains and change history. Abraham believed he could change and transform the world. It is all the more remarkable, when we consider Abraham’s age. The Torah tells us that