Judaism

By David Jelenko and Steve Hofstetter Dear [People on My Facebook Page/Friends], With [two days off of work/Rosh Hashanah] over, it’s time to look forward to Yom Kippur.  And as always, that means [apologizing for stuff that isn’t my fault/penance],  because [God says I have to/it’s always good to take stock of where things stand 

By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — Religion is on the front-burner for many, particularly in the Jewish community, as we celebrate the birthday of creation through Rosh Hashanah, and then the more severe interlude of introspection and soul-cleansing of Yom Kippur. Religion doesn’t always work, but these days it is definitely working. And people

By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Every day since we entered the Hebrew month of Elul we have sounded the Shofar during morning minyan. The Shofar reminds us of the upcoming Holy Days, and that we should begin to spend more time directing our hearts and minds toward heaven. One of the central themes

By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Reb Yisroel Salanter, one of the greatest Rabbis of his generation, was set to say mourners kaddish in shul. At that shul, in those times, the custom was for only one mourner to say kaddish at each service. Reb Yisroel was designated for that particular service. Saying kaddish

By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — There is an old story told about a small yeshiva’s rowing team that never won a match. They finally decided to send an observer over to another school to see how they could improve their performance. The volunteer returned and was excited to share his observations. “I know

By Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — One of the most powerful men in history once told his people that they really ought to fill up a basket with their best fruit and bring it to the priest. In fact, this is what Moses instructed the Hebrews to do when they settled in the land that