The ancient religious Jewish group Pharisees, who existed from about 320 BCE until 70 CE, and the rabbis who followed them changed all of the Jewish practices and holidays in some ways. Let’s look at the laws of counting the omer, called in Hebrew Sefirat Ha’Omer, and the holiday of Shavuot. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Why do we count the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
A tradition started 40 years ago that has gained widespread acceptance in many non-Orthodox households is the placement of an orange on the seder plate. Though many see this as a symbol of women’s important role in Judaism, it was in fact started by Jewish feminist scholar Susannah Heschel in support of gays and lesbians. More recently, others have suggested new additions to the seder plate, though none has as yet gained widespread acceptance. Which of the following are among those new seder plate suggestions? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: The Seder Plate Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
I’m so proud of President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Cabinet Secretaries Alejandro Mayorkas and Xavier Becerra, San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, our city’s Mayor Todd Gloria, the folks at Jewish Family Service, and San Diego Jewish World’s own contributor Mimi Pollack. [Donald H. Harrison]
Proud of the U.S. and local response to migrant children Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Mimi Pollack, San Diego County, USA
Those firmly supporting Benjamin Netanyhu are Likud, SHAS, United Torah Judaism, and Religious Zionists, for a total of 52 Seats Those clearly in the anti-Bibi list are Lapid, Blue White, Israel Beiteinu, Labor, New Hope, Joint Arab List, and Meretz, for a total of 57 Seats Between them are Yamina and the Separate Arab List, so far undecided, with 11 Seats [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Israeli Election Analysis at the Seder Table Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle EastThanks to Stan and Janet Tiger for sending along the Passover sea shanties above, and to Richard Kahn who alerted us to this Passover salute by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. My wife and co-publisher Nancy Harrison joins me in wishing all our readers a joyous Passover! [Donald H. Harrison]
Some Happy Passover Music for You Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
Jewish Programming via Internet of interest to lay and academic audiences [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Streaming Jewish Programs (March 28-April 6, 2021) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Jill and I send our best wishes to everyone celebrating Passover in the United States, the State of Israel, and around the world. At its heart, the Passover story is one of overcoming adversity and finding hope, of summoning the resilience and resolve to emerge from a long dark night to a brighter morning. [President Joe Biden]
President Joe Biden’s Passover Message Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
It’s another one of those weeks! You know, the ones where the Rabbi has any number of possible themes that he can address. Another way of expressing the situation is by calling it, “A target rich environment.” So many subjects, so little time.[Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: The Great Shabbat Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
For the second year in a row, we find ourselves asking the same question as we asked last year: “How is this Passover Seder in the era of the COVID 19 pandemic different from other Passover celebrations?” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel}
A Seder During a Pandemic is Like the Original Passover Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the March of the Living will be hosting multiple virtual events and programs to commemorate Yom HaShoah- Holocaust Remembrance Day. View the promo video https://youtu.be/akdIQv9M9dk to learn more about this year’s theme and how we will be place memorial plaques on the train tracks leading into Auschwitz-Birkenau. [March of the Living news release]
Virtual March of the Living Set for April 8 Read More »
International, Jewish History, Marcia Tatz Wollner, San Diego County, USA
What’s the most frightening question you can ask a Jew this week?
“Have you finished cleaning for Pesach yet?” It’s Shabbat HaGadol, the first Seder follows immediately after Shabbat and, oh my goodness! And if that’s not enough, along comes parasha Tzav to point to how we benefit from de-cluttering our homes, and I’d add, our lives. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Transforming the Mundane Into the Holy Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellAlmost all of the Dead Sea Scrolls that have been found to date are housed in the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. How did Israel obtain a number of the Dead Sea Scrolls? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Dead Sea Scrolls Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & SatireRabbi Samuel ben Meir, known as Rashbam (c. 1085–c. 1158), a grandson of Rashi, was the author of a superbly rational commentary on the Bible and Talmud. Rashbam wrote in his commentary on Genesis 1:5 that the biblical day began at daybreak. The Torah states in Genesis 1 that God performed certain acts of creation on the first day; then there was evening and then morning when the first day ended, and God began new activities in the morning of the second day. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Biblical days started at daybreak not sunset Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion
I often read the obituaries of people I have never met, and often find myself regretting that life hadn’t afforded me the opportunity to sit down with them and benefit from hearing their stories and life experiences. In today’s San Diego Union-Tribune there were 4 ½ pages of paid obituaries, and many of them had an endearing fact or two about the deceased family member. Below I pull brief quotes from 22 of them so you can see what I mean. If you’re like me, I bet you also would have enjoyed meeting each one of these remarkable people. [Donald H. Harrison]
Obituaries provide much to learn and ponder Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Travel and Food