Judaism

Do Jews believe in angels?

Do Jews believe in angels? The Hebrew word for angel, mal’ach, means “messenger,” and in biblical sources, angels deliver specific information or carry out particular functions. In the Torah, an angel prevents Abraham from slaughtering his son Isaac. An angel appears to Moses in the burning bush and gives direction to the Israelites during the desert sojourn following the liberation from Egypt. Angels are associated with visions and prophecies. [Cailin Acosta]

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B’nai B’rith International: Navi Pillay choice for Nobel Peace Prize is appalling

B’nai B’rith International is appalled and dismayed by the selection of Navi Pillay for the Nobel Peace Prize. This choice is not only unwarranted but offensive and damaging. It cheapens the world’s leading prize for peacemaking and further reinforces a sense of isolation by Jews facing a surge in global antisemitism. (Press Release)

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Press Release

Public executions, rhetorically sacrificing two U.S. cities signs of Trump administration’s depravity

This week, the Trump administration announced it was bringing back public executions by firing squad and plans to livestream it, joining only Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Saudi Arabia in allowing executions in the public square. (Halie Soifer)

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Jewish History, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Why every baseball player should look upon ‘Bereishit’ as a favorite Torah portion

The sacrifice bunt is sacred. In what other sport is a player cheered for giving up their own turn at bat, absorbing a statistical out, simply to advance their teammate ninety feet closer to home? That is covenant in action: recognizing that collective purpose eclipses personal ambition. Individual stardom produces box-score glory; shared sacrifice wins the pennant. (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)

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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Bereishit: The Psychology of Becoming

I sometimes wonder what might have happened if Cain had simply paused at the door. What if, rather than immediately following the impulse his jealousy created, he had been able to ask himself: What am I feeling right now? What story am I telling myself about what happened? What is this feeling asking me to do? And, perhaps most importantly, is that the person I want to be? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D,]

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California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The fight against terrorism and antisemitism: Oct. 7, 2026

” … On Oct. 7, Hamas-led attackers murdered civilians, committed sexual violence, mutilated bodies and took hostages. You are weaponizing a day meant for mourning the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust to recycle your usual antizionist talking points. … (SDJW staff roundup)

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Opinion, Press Release, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish community’s diverse reflections concerning Oct. 7, 2023

“Three years after Hamas’s October 7 massacre against Israel, we remember those who were murdered and stand with the survivors and people of Israel who will forever carry with them the indelible scars of that day…” (SDJW roundup)

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Press Release, San Diego County, USA

Elitzur Hajbi, sealed in his room since 2023, given a proper burial

Three years after the October 7 massacre, the final victim killed in the attack at Moshav Yakhini has been brought to rest after his family opened a bedroom that had remained locked since the morning he was murdered. (Press Release)

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Press Release, San Diego County

Memorializing the dead a Jewish obligation

Our Torah already knows this voice. “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way, when you came out of Egypt… you shall not forget.” Amalek did not meet an army. Amalek struck the weary and the stragglers, the ones at the back who could not keep up. The commandment that follows is not “feel strongly.” It is remember, and because you remember, do not let the name of that attack be washed clean. [Rabbis Samuel and Rosenberg)

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Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Waves of antisemitism hit Hillel of San Diego the day after Oct. 7

Then, the very next day, it became a nightmare for Jewish students right here on campus. At Hillel of San Diego, we stopped all other programming and prioritized student well-being and Israel education and connection. We mourned together. We rallied together. We experienced hate again and again – from classmates, former friends, professors, staff – and it really felt at times like we were alone. (Karen Parry)

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

San Diegans commemorate the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre

Tomorrow is October 7th. A day that will never be the same for the Jews of the World. We all remember where we were when we heard about the Hamas attacks. We continue to feel the loss of those taken from us on that horrible day and the days after. [Cailin Acosta]
Tomorrow is October 7th. A day that will never be the same for the Jews of the World. We all remember where we were when we heard about the Hamas attacks. We continue to feel the loss of those taken from us on that horrible day and the days after. (Cailin Acosta)

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA