By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The Neturei Karta cannot bear looking at the face of a woman—whether a real woman, or merely the image of a woman’s face, which they find “erotic.” The philosopher Emmanuel Lévinas observed that the face is the only part of the body that we see in […]
Facing the doctrines of the Neturei Karta Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–When a child becomes Bar or Bat Mitzvah, one of the first mitzvot for which they assume responsibility is tefillin. One of the verses which the rabbis say refers to the mitzvah of tefillin is in parashat Bo: “And this shall serve as a sign on your hand and as
Why there are four tefillin compartments for the head but only one for the arm Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSAELM–We are never far from a reminder that the Israel-Palestinian conflict has a strong element of religious animosity. Those who aspire to solve this with a simple agreement about lines on a map will be better off refereeing a football match (American or European). The Middle East is not for them.
Religion, not land-use politics, at heart of Mideast dispute Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion
From Within the Tent: The Haftarot by Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman and Stuart W. Halpern, Editors; Yeshiva University Press, New York; ISBN 978-161-329-0316 ©2011, $29.95, p. 719 By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California– Ezra and Nehemiah, prophet and governor respectively, introduced the first public reading of the Torah, the Five Books of Moses, in the late
‘From Within the Tent’ is a book for those wanting intense Jewish study Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionBy Joel and Arlene Moskowitz LA JOLLA, California–Adolph Eichmann is a name that is likely to be unfamiliar to present generations of young Jews and even more so to young gentiles. Eichmann’s End, a film about an evil man who effected the annihilation of the Jews and other peoples despised by the Nazis over six decades ago
‘Eichmann’s End’ recounts capture and trial of notorious Nazi Read More »
International, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — When the Torah speaks about Moses and Aaron, it sometimes puts Moses first and at other times, Aaron. For example, in Ex. 6:26 Aaron comes first: “It is the same Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said….” and in the very next verse it is Moses: “….these
Side conversations in the sanctuary not necessarily disrespectful Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Religious societies probably grapple with the problem of shame more so than your typical secular community. Rigors of ordinary Orthodox Jewish life are daunting enough. When compared to the members of the Haredi community, Orthodox Jews might just as well consider themselves, “Reform,” or even Unitarian. The
In many haredi homes, women are the resented breadwinners Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Reb Yisroel Salanter, founder of what is now the worldwide Mussar Movement, said, “When I was younger I wanted to change the world. When I realized I couldn’t do that, I decided to change my city. When I realized I couldn’t do that, I decided to change my
Some self-improvement parables to ponder Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Whenever I read the Lubavitcher website, it seems as if we are reliving history. The Lubavitcher character assassination of Shmuley Boteach reminds me of how the 17th century Dutch Jewish community treated one of its heretical spirits and his name was Uriel da Costa (1585-1640).
Critics of ‘Kosher Jesus’ author reminiscent of 17th Century Dutch Jewish community Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — In reading a book (“Galileo’s Daughter” by Dava Sobel) about the sixteenth and seventeenth century scientist, astronomer, and philosopher Galileo Galilei, I learned that despite his run-ins with the Catholic Church, Galileo was a deeply religious man. His religious beliefs, however, were out of synch with the orthodoxies
Bible’s “truths” are spiritual not necessarily historical Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California–One of my congregants asked a recent synagogue class, “How can we try to be respectful and understanding of the ultra-Orthodox when they are at the forefront of hostile activities like rioting at places which are open on Shabbat and more recently, vandalizing a girls’ school in Bet
Is everyone worthy of our respect? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California–The other day, I came across an interesting story, worthy of a Sherlock Holmes tale. Some time ago in 2011, Lubavitcher women sponsored a special collection for Shaarei Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem. Deena Yellin writes, “The herd of brightly-colored stuffed animals filled our front porch with all the panache of
In defense of unkosher animal toys Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi“[My] book is telling the Jews to reclaim Jesus, the authentic Jesus, the historical Jesus, the Jewish Jesus” and to be inspired by his “beautiful” teachings, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach said this week in Jerusalem. By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Shmuley Boteach reminds me a lot of Paul, the Apostle. In fact, I
‘The Kosher Jesus’ raises eyebrows but is not very deep Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — One of the more noticeable differences between Reform and more traditional worship services is how the congregation says the first two lines of the Sh’ma. Most Reform congregations stand for the Sh’ma while more traditional congregations remain seated. Additionally, Reform congregations say the second line of the
Why some sit and others stand for the Sh’ma Read More »
Jewish Religion