By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — This year, the first night of Chanukah is Wednesday December 1, 2010, at which time we will light one Chanukah light plus the shamash. The second night we light 2 lights plus a shamash. The third night we light 3 lights plus a shamash, and so on and […]
Some rules for the observance of Chanukah Read More »
Jewish ReligionCAIRO (WJC) — Rabbi Marc Schneier, vice-president of the World Jewish Congress and a pioneer in fostering closer Jewish-Muslim relations in North America and Europe, has praised leaders of the Al-Azhar Al-Sharif University in Cairo, the oldest center of Islamic scholarship in the world, for opening up inter-religious dialogue to the Jews. The ‘Banu Ibrahim
World Jewish Congress welcomes Muslim center’s desire for inter-religious dialogue Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — When I lived in Orange County, California, I was the director of a small Jewish Day School. I was responsible for the administrative, as well as educational aspects of the school. Shortly after I arrived, a vendor contacted me and in making his sales pitch, tried to impress
Should we expect more of our fellow Jews? Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — In the Torah portion Vayishlach, Yaakov was determined to get back home. Back to the loving environment of Torah and Mitvos in the home of his parents Yitzchok & Rivkah. He encountered many serious obstacles along the way – Lavan’s trickery and treachery – Esav’s bloodthirsty army –
The lure of teshuvah Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Joel A. Moskowitz, M.D. LA JOLLA, California — Houdini is a name to conjure with. For many the word “Houdini” is equivalent to ‘magician’. More than eight decades after his premature demise, he is returning to California. Not Houdini per se, but his artifacts, his story and the multiple works which he inspired –
Houdini exhibit to escape New York, tour the country Read More »
Jewish History, Travel and Food
Torah Tapestries: Words of Wisdom Woven from the Weekly Parashah, Bereishis by Shira Smiles, Feldheim Publishers, New York; ISBN 978-1-59826-641-2, ©2010, $19.99, 201 pages plus bibliography, index, and glossary (Also available as a Kindle eBook) By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — In the Book of Deuteronomy (31:10-12), God commanded that every seventh year, at
This Torah collection brings out the Smiles Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–Although we Jews firmly believe we can argue with God, bargaining with God is another story. Of course there is nothing that forbids us from trying to formalize an agreement with God, but if we think we will receive confirmation from above, we are sadly mistaken. Jacob’s words, therefore, are
What do rabbis say about Jacob trying to bargain with God? Read More »
Jewish Religion
SAN DIEGO– There are days, of course, when you can’t take a Torah or a Chumash with you, but for Melanie Rubin that was no problem. It was as if the Book of Genesis and the Book of Exodus came looking for her on the roadways. We have added both biblically inspired license plates to
Is Torah stalking Melanie Rubin on the freeways? Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy David Kroll SAN DIEGO — This week’s parsha was Chayey Sarah, the life of Sarah, a text which actually begins following the time of her death. As compared with other parshas which involve a great many subjects and topics, Chayey Sarah deals with only three: The negotiation between Abraham and Efron the Hittite for
Jews and money: an essay on an old stereotype Read More »
Jewish ReligionHey Waiter…There’s God in My Soup! Learning Kabbalah through Humor by Sam “Simcha” Krause with Terry Krause; ISBN 978-1-553-4537-2980-9, ©2010, $16.00, 98 pages By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — Jewish tradition holds that Moses received three things from God on Mt. Sinai. First, he received the Written Law, known as the Torah and Five
A humorous approach to understanding Kabbalah Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Ledeman SAN DIEGO — Rivkah was the perfect wife for Yitzchok because she possessed chessed (loving kindness). Caring kindness and sensitivity to others, are hallmarks of the Jewish people as the following true story, documented in A Mother’s Favorte Stories by Sheina Medwed, illustrates: Beth Shapiro was shopping with her elderly
Jews have something far more precious than rings Read More »
Jewish ReligionNEW YORK (Press Release)– A new cohort of 25 congregations from Judaism’s Conservative Movement will enroll in The Jewish Theological Seminary’s groundbreaking Mitzvah Initiative this fall, joining the nearly 50 synagogues, Solomon Schechter day schools, and Ramah camps already involved with the program, among them Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego. The 2010–2011 cohort includes
25 Conservative congregations latest to join ‘Mitzvah Initiative’ Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Rabbis are fond of telling couples they are marrying that the chuppah beneath which they stand resembles Avraham Avinu’s tent. How so? Just as the chuppah is open on all four sides, so was Avraham’s tent. Avraham’s tent was open on all four sides to welcome guests from
Non-Jewish visitors should be taught about Judaism’s values Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO–Avraham was visited by three angels, one of whom was there to heal him after his recent bris milah (ritual circumcision). This brings to mind the following story: Rav Shlomo Kluger ztz”l accepted a new position as Rav. Shortly thereafter, there was bris (ritual circumcision) to which he of course
Why a mitzvah must be performed as soon as possible Read More »
Jewish Religion