By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — What do you do when you feel vulnerable, defenseless, in danger? Like the Israelites in this week’s Torah reading, perhaps you find that your neck stiffens as you shift into an alarm reaction. Life was good when just a short while ago, the Israelites felt the presence […]
Parashat Ki Tisa and Parah: Do You Count Time, Or Make Time Count? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Rabbi Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The weekly portion of Ki Thissa begins with counting the adult male Israelites from age twenty, by each giving a half shekel so “that there not be a plague among them when you count them,” and raises the question if this is superstition. This is followed by
Thoughts on the Torah Portion Ki Tisa, Superstition, and Rabbinical Judaism Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By Eva Trieger ENCINITAS, California — In recognition of the upcoming Purim celebration, the Hive at the Leichtag Commons, Coastal Roots Farm, and the Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival melded their strengths to bring us a spirited retelling of the Purim Story. “Shushan on the Farm” was performed twice on February 26 by
‘Shushan on the Farm:’ A Festive Retelling of the Purim Story Read More »
Eva Trieger, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The current practice is that Purim is celebrated as a one-day holiday. Cities that were walled at the time of Joshua’s conquest of Israel – most notably Jerusalem – celebrate Purim on the 15th of Adar to recall the end of hostilities in the walled city
Today, Purim is Practiced Differently Than the Biblical Requirement Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Chairs were cleared from the sanctuary of Temple Emanu-El on Sunday, March 5, and the space was converted into a carnival to celebrate one day in advance the Jewish dress-up day of Purim. The holiday celebrates Queen Esther’s foiling of the evil Haman’s plot against the Jews of Persia. [SDJW staff report]
Temple Emanu-El Celebrates Purim with a Carnival Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — In a rematch of our legendary (in relative terms) Chanukah 2021 debate, in which I defeated Rabbi Eric Ertel of the San Diego Jewish Experience (SAJE) but sustained a fractured heel in the process, Rabbi Ertel and I duked it out once again on Wednesday night at the
Latke Defeats Hamantash in Rematch Debate in La Jolla Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The weekly portion of Tetzaveh begins and ends in the middle of chapters, showing once again that the rabbinic division of the Torah differs from the division of chapters that originated by Christians. We read about the oil for the Tabernacle lamp maintained by Aaron
Thoughts on the Torah Portion Tetzaveh, Priests, and Superstition Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Sixty-one years ago, when I became a bar mitzvah, I read this parasha, Tetzaveh, at Temple B’nai Abraham in Newark, N.J., under the watchful eye and heart of Rabbi Joachim Prinz. I recall the rabbi telling me how relevant the parasha was to me, since I enjoyed
Parashat Tetzaveh, Shabbat Zachor: What Ornate Garments Teach Us About Humility Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
This work seems comprehensive, yet it is introductory. It covers five important aspects of Judaism – its history, its teaching, its practices, its calendar, and its lifecycles – and yet no single volume could teach all there is to teach about any one of these aspects, much less all of them. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Knowledge Book Provides Broad Introduction to Judaism Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion
You may have been aware that a small group of neo-Nazis had called for a National Day of Hate on Saturday, Feb. 25, during which their fellow antisemites were urged to rally, disrupt, and document their odious conduct with photographs of their activities. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Saturday of Love, Not of Hate Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USABy Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The weekly portion of Terumah discusses some matters involving the portable Tabernacle the Israelites used for sacrifices while they were in the desert. We read the command that the Israelites must bring material to construct the Tabernacle and its contents, and build an ark that will
Thoughts on the Torah Portion Terumah, Prayer, Sacrifices, the Synagogue, and More Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — When you give something of yourself, who benefits? Of course, the person to whom you offered something, but the Torah this week sets the groundwork for something many know. Hashem is teaching us this week, among other lessons, that when you contribute, give, you receive and benefit
Parashat Terumah: Giving From Our Heart’s Desire Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellBy Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The weekly Torah portion of Mishpatim begins with laws concerning an eved ivri, translated “Hebrew Slave.” But the term is not explained. It continues with laws when a man sells his daughter as a slave, a death sentence to a person who kills another, the law
Thoughts on Mishpatim, Laws, Morality, and Using Intelligence Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In the words of Louis Nizer, the noted Jewish-American trial lawyer author, artist, and advisor to some of the most powerful people in the world of politics, business, and entertainment, “True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess.” In this week’s readings, we are
Parashat Mishpatim, Shabbat Shekalim: Leading a Life of True Religion Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell