By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — On Tisha B’Av we mourn the destruction of the Temple, which was due to sinas chinam – unwarranted hatred. We also mourn the hatred itself and the disunity and isolation which it causes. When Jews are united, amazing things can happen as the following true story, related by
The miracle of Shalhevet Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK (Press Release)–There is a biography. And then there is an autobiography. Our biography is the way others see us. Our autobiography is the way we see ourselves. Typically, there are sharp differences between the two. Others see us from their own perspectives. Some biographers can be boldly objective,
‘Devarim:’ A sublime autobiography Read More »
Jewish ReligionEditor’s Note: As part of Congregation Beth Israel’s 150th anniversary celebration, San Diego Jewish World editor Don Harrison gave an after-dinner speech to the CBI Men’s Club on Wednesday, July 18, sketching ten Jewish pioneers of San Diego. Here is an edited version of that talk. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO– Having written a
Meet a minyan of San Diego Jewish pioneers Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History
By Bruce Kesler ENCINITAS, California — Edward Alexander’s latest book, The State of the Jews: A Critical Appraisal, would better have been titled “The State of the Anti-Jews.” Edward Alexander is a professor emeritus of English as well as one of the better informed writers on matters Jewish, who brings this broad knowledge to a
Historian traces anti-Semitism from antiquity to the present Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK –It was a typical park bench conversation. I hadn’t seen my friend for quite some time, and we both were delighted when we ran into each other by chance that afternoon. We shook hands, and withdrew to a bench in the shade to spend a few minutes together
When should someone go back on his promise? Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Pinchus cared about G-d’s honor and accomplished outstanding things because of it. The daughters of Tzelofchad cared deeply about the Land of Israel and as a result, accomplished amazing things. When we care passionately about something, incredible things can happen as the following true story, written by Abraham
What helped an addict kick her habit Read More »
Jewish Religion
Story and photos by Mimi Pollack TECATE, Mexico — There are only 70 to 80 people left in Baja California who speak Kumeyaay, according to Michael Wilken Robertson, an anthropologist with a specialty in ethno-botany who is curator of the Kumeyaay Museum in this city hugging the U.S.-Mexican border. In a recent interview, Wilken
Cultural Museum brings ancient Kumeyaay ways to life Read More »
Jewish History, Mimi Pollack
Determinism or Free Will by Chapman Cohen; Literary Licensing LLC, Whitefish, MT; ISBN 978-1-2581-2881-4 ©2012 reprint of a book published in 1919, $25.95, p. 127 Free Will by Sam Harris; Free Press, New York ISBN 978-1-4516-8347-0 ©2012, $9.99, p. 81, including notes and index By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California–Judaism provides no help in settling
So do we have free will or don’t we? Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK–Except for the saints among us, we all boast. Sometimes we boast about our own natural endowments, our good looks, or our athletic prowess. Often we boast about our achievements, social or professional. There is one type of boasting that seems to be unique to the traditional Jewish community.
Whose example do you follow? Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Michael Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Since our ancestors have not always treated one another respectfully or tolerantly, I thought I would focus on a sensible theme for this time of the year. Our lesson begins with a passage from the Talmud: Tolerance begins with respecting our neighbor. The Talmud relates the following story: “A
Shammai vs. Hillel all over again Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The theology of Rabbi Shneir Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812) raises some fascinating questions about the nature of creatio ex nihilo—creation out of nothing. How can the theologian refer to God as “nothing,” when God is the totality of all things and infinitely more? He answers that
God is for be-living, not just believing Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Jews are not buried in the clothes they wore during their lives. Rather, we are dressed in tachrichim, simple white burial garments. This reminds us that no matter how many material blessings one accumulates during a lifetime, we are all equal in death. Additionally, tachrichim remind us
The meaning of tachrichim Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK– Everyone has his or her own voice. Some express it loudly and clearly; some just mumble or whisper. There are those who let their voices be heard only in their professional lives and are silent and withdrawn at home. Others use their voices only within their families and
Finding the voice of the people of Israel Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel There are a number of books that have been recently written concerning the weekly Torah portion. Some are better than others. I am recommending the books according to a four-star rating. The Lion Cub of Prague: Thought Kabbala, Hashkafa from Gur Aryeh—The Maharal of Prague by Dr. Moshe David Kuhr; Gefen
Rating four new books on Torah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi