Some may say that the mystic Nachmanides (1194-1270) was more interested in heaven than earth. Unlike Maimonides (1138-1204), who focused on a scientific study of the world, Nachmanides was concerned with the way in which Jews interact with God [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Maimonides, Nachmanides had contrasting views of Pesach Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Editor’s Note: Shirley Confino-Rehder is a certified interior designer who lectures on universal design and the Americans for Disabilities Act. She resides in Norfolk, Virginia. Why This Night IS Different Than Any Other Night – 2010 As we start our Passover Seder, we wonder Why this Night is different than any other night… Once again we
Three poems of Passovers past Read More »
Jewish Religion
Those with Internet connections could watch the Havdalah ceremonies with San Diego connections move west on Saturday from Israel to New Jersey en route to San Diego.
In Israel, Cantor Hanan Leberman, who serves for specified holidays as a cantor at Tifeeth Israel Synagogue in San Diego, provided songs and traditional chants in the ceremony marking the end of the Sabbath and the beginning of the regular week. As is customary, he drank wine, smelled spices, and watched the flames of the havdalah candle flicker shadows from his fingers to the palm of his hand. Hours later, in Vorhees, New Jersey, Cantor Alisa Pomerantz-Boro of that township’s Congregation Beth El, was accompanied by her daughter Rebecca as she marked the end of the Sabbath. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Havdalah moves west with San Diego connections Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Trivia, Humor & Satire
The Mishnah discusses an interesting case concerning an individual assuming personal liability for damages that one inadvertently causes to another. The text reads: “A human being is always considered ‘forewarned’ and is responsible in all situations where he inadvertently or purposely caused damage to another—whether he was awake, or even if he was asleep. If someone blinded another person’s eye, or broke his vessels, he must pay full damages. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Humans — and countries — always responsible for actions Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
Since reviewing live music concerts is not possible during these days of isolation, I will be writing weekly columns about some of my favorite CD recordings by people whom I know, and include examples of audio selections from their discs. First, I plan to write about the 16 CDs featuring my younger sister, concert violinist Zina Schiff. [Eileen Wingard]
We may not have concerts, but we have CDs to review Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
In an interview I conducted with the President over Zoom, he explained why he has not contracted the coronavirus and has been so successful in mitigating its spread. I guaranteed him that it would be off the record. I kept my promise. I’ve recorded this on paper and not on vinyl. [Satire column by Laurie Baron, PhD]
Imagining what Trump might say about coronavirus Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
This is a very special Shabbos. It is so special, in fact, that it is designated Shabbat HaGadol – The Great Shabbos. This Shabbos is intrinsically connected with the holiday of Passover, which is in many ways considered the greatest of all the holidays. The story behind Shabbat HaGadol stretches back over 3,300 years ago. The Jews were still enslaved in Egypt despite the fact that the Egyptians had suffered through nine horrific plagues. Still, however, they obstinately held captive the Jewish people. The long-awaited redemption had begun, the suffering had decreased, yet the Jews were still not free. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: Parashat Tzav Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
City Councilwoman Barbara Bry, whose runoff status for mayor against Assemblyman Todd Gloria has now been confirmed by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, said on Friday that the coronavirus pandemic likely will have both short-term and long-term impacts on the City of San Diego [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
This parasha (Ysav) is largely a redundant version of last week’s reading, organized differently, and to my mind more incoherent. Sacrificial details are re-presented. Nevertheless I have found four useful passages for comparison with ancient pagan practices. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Eternal lights, ostracism, and sacrifices in the ancient world Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
Henry David Thoreau once shared that he had three chairs in his home, “…one for solitude, two for friendship, and three for society.” Doesn’t that provide you with remarkable insight into the value of a chair? Chairs provide comfort, stability, relaxation, style and for Thoreau, “…solitude, friendship and society.” During this time of emotionally charged home quarantine, I’m concerned that a chair for many may also pose a corner of isolation, inactivity and ultimate gloominess. You see, as Benjamin Franklin observed, “The discontented man finds no easy chair.” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Which CHAIR is killing you? Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael MantellEditor’s Note: Columnist Laurie Baron has been scouring the TV and Internet services for movies of Jewish interest that you can watch at home. Combined with the previous installments of his research, it is quite a collection. Here are links to Parts I, II, III,IV, V, VI, and VII.
Streaming Jewish vidoes (and podcasts) at home, Part VIII Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The Joint List had supported Benny Gantz, the leader of the now broken-up Blue and White Party, when he hoped to become the next prime minister of Israel. After the election on March 2 he seemed to be able to muster 61 Members of Knesset and was, therefore, given the mandate by Israel’s president to form the next government. The Joint List wouldn’t be part of it, but it expected measures to benefit Israel’s Arab citizens whom previous governments are said to have neglected. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Arabs contribute much to Israel. It’s time to attend to their political needs Read More »
Middle EastWhen President Trump referred to the coronavirus, he referred to it several times as “the Chinese Virus.” This led to a barrage of criticisms claiming the President was stigmatizing Chinese Americans and other Asian ethnicities in this country. Looking at the comment, I thought it reaffirmed Rahm Emanuel’s cynical remark: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” Actually, it was not Emanuel who originated this remark, it was Winston Churchill who first said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” When seen through the lens of realpolitik, Nancy Pelosi’s and Joe Biden’s accusation that Trump is a racist is clever—especially in an election year. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Pandemics in an age of political correctness Read More »
International, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Science, Medicine, & Education
We have been living with the glaring presence of Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar in Congress for 15 months. Finally, we have some idea of the forces that could decide Tlaib’s political future. Likewise for a Republican congressman who is perceived as anti-Israel. The other week, Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones announced that she will challenge Tlaib in the Democratic primary next August to represent part of Detroit and some of the city’s suburbs, according to the website Jewish Insider. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Campaigns shape up against 3 anti-Israel Congress members Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA