By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –A question came up recently in my congregation regarding the use of music at a Jewish funeral. The Reform Movement has long permitted the use of music at a Jewish funeral—provided the music does not derive from the Christian liturgy, e.g., Amazing Grace. Most Conservative and all […]
Is music at a funeral kosher? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
TORONTO, Canada — Michael Glassman spotted a sleepy car — or driver? — in front of him.
Jewish-interest license plate: Shlufy Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK –It is an old word, and it describes a behavior that has been around since the very beginning of history. Yet the word seems to me to be used more and more frequently these days, and the behavior it describes has gotten out of control. The word
Curbing the bully within ourselves Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — The New York Times has now published an article that carefully chronicles a disquieting, alarming social reality brimming inside the fundamentalist Jewish community of Brooklyn: adult members of the enclave who have reported the sexual abuse of youngsters on the part of rabbis, teachers, and other professionals are
Whistle blowers who protect children must not be ostracized Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — President Obama’s revelation surprised me. I wondered: Why did it take him so long to state his opinion? Wasn’t it obvious? True, the President indicated that he had reservations on whether he should personally endorse same sex marriage, or not. Although I think the President would
Halacha may be adjusted to societal reality Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
TORONTO — Michael Glassman spotted this expert’s license. He tells us there are many other license plates with Yiddish words are to be spotted in Canada. We thank him and hope he will send in others as he sees them.
Jewish-interest license plate: Maven Read More »
Jewish ReligionA LOOK BACK OVER MY SHOULDER By Garry Fabian Editor’s Note: In 1936 Garry Fabian’s family fled Germany to Czechoslovakia, hoping to escape Nazi persecution, but in vain. By 1942 Garry, aged eight, was interned in Theresienstadt. He was to spend till May 1945 in that ‘model’ concentration camp and was one of only about
Garry Fabian’s updated Holocaust memoir, ‘A Look Back Over My Shoulder’ now on line Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK — Although many of his adherents deny it, he definitely had an anti-Semitic streak and was at least, for a time, sympathetic to the Nazi cause. Yet he was one of the major psychological theorists of the 20th century, and I personally have found his insights into the
Holidays for the introverts and extroverts among us Read More »
Jewish Religion
SAN DIEGO — Sandi Masori spotted this license plate with its Hebrew word for “move.” And that, of course, is what we want all our cars to be able to do.
Jewish-interest license plate: Lazuz Read More »
Jewish ReligionSociety and Self: On the Writings of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, by Gerald J.(Ya’akov) Blidstein. OU Press, 2012, 155 pages, ISBN-10: 1602802041, U.S. cover price: $25.00 By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Gerald J. Blidstein’s Society and Self: On the Writings of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik is an excellent introduction to the
Book explores the intellect of Rav. Joseph Solveitchik Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Sefirah reminds us to elevate ourselves each day. Sometimes we stumble and fall down. At those times it is more important than ever to elevate ourselves, brush ourselves off and carry on. Rabbi Aryeh Leib HaCohen Heller was appointed Rav of Rosiantov at a very young age. In
From humble surroundings came great scholarship Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK– It was a year when the holidays fell on the same days of the week as they do this year. The first day of Passover was on a Saturday, a Shabbat, so that Shavuot fell on a Sunday. Saturday night was the beginning of Shavuot. That calendar quirk
How we can distinguish among levels of holiness Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — As a child, I used to love reading the golem stories attributed to Rabbi Judah Lowe, a.k.a., the famous “Maharal of Prague” (1525-1609). Since my father came from Czechoslovakia, I grew up hearing many family tales about the golem. These stories were especially delightful since my
May a golem count towards a minyan? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — While I am not a political junkie, from time to time I do watch the candidates debate. They are often unintentionally entertaining. One of my favorite exchanges took place during the Republican primary debate on January 26, 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida. It was an exchange between
The perils of lashon hara Read More »
Jewish Religion