The Talmud references camels in discussions regarding the holiday of Sukkot. What did the rabbis say about camels and Sukkot?
Jewish trivia quiz: Sukkot and camels Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Tradition mandates that Jews should read the biblical book Kohelet, also spelt Koheleth and Qohelet, called Ecclesiastes in English, during the holiday of Sukkot. Both the Hebrew and English names mean “collector” or “collection.” We do not know why this mandate was made. Some say that since Sukkot is a very happy holiday, we need the sober thoughts of Kohelet to modify our joy and make it more reasonable. The book was considered heretical by many ancient rabbis who wanted to exclude it from the Bible.
Difficulties, explanations regarding Kohelet Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Members of President Trump’s family — his two older sons and “the other daughter” — plan to market a line of sukkas in time for next year’s Sukkot holiday. The top-of the line items, which the president has nicknamed “Trump Tabernacle Tents,” will each bear a golden capital T, which will glow in the dark for the benefit of those who want to visit the sukkas in the evening.
‘Just Kidding:’ Trump family to market Sukkas Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Items in today’s column include:
*Many Jewish contributions to Jacobs Masterworks 2019-2020 Season
*A Sukkot Beatles Parody
*Political byes
*On a personal note
*In Memoriam
Our Shtetl San Diego County: October 13, 2019 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Eileen Wingard, Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials
In Genesis: 1:28 we are taught that God blessed mankind instructing it to, “… rule over the fish of the sea, the bird of the sky, and every living thing that moves on the earth.” At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a visitor can conclude that the phrase “rule over” is interpreted to mean “do everything in your power to help all living creatures.” This becomes evident in light of the aquarium’s successful efforts to rescue otters, to teach about conservation, and to instruct children in the fascinating ways of marine life.
Aquarium teaches how good ‘rulers’ treat their subjects Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share, Travel and Food
Two days before the Day of Atonement, The New York Times reported that Jeremy Corbyn had advanced a signficant step toward becoming Britain’s prime minister. Yom Kippur itself was consumed by fatal shootings outside a synagogue in Germany; a military earthquake in Syria that could easily extend to Israel; and two scary incidents in Elon, North Carolina, and White Plains, New York. This confluence of events cast a bleak shadow for 5780, the new Jewish year. It makes one wonder what else can happen.
Jewish Year 5780 starts with bad news Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Middle East, USA
According to the European Union Commission’s website, during the last decade the EUC has given over 2 billion Euros to Arab Palestinians in the “West Bank” and the Gaza Strip. This does not include extra payments for health, welfare, and education, and legal services to assist claims against Israel. Additionally, the EUC is funding illegal Arab building in Area C, which is under Israeli control via the authority of the IDF and its civilian branch, COGAT. This includes assistance to PA residents who infiltrate into Area C and build illegal homes in Arab villages.
Europe’s proxy war against Israel Read More »
International, Middle East
Items in today’s column include:
*UC San Diego books former Israeli FM Tzipi Livni for Nov. 11 lecture
*Three Jewish philanthropists to receive UC San Diego Chancellor’s Medal
*San Diego Humane Society hosts training for animal law enforcement officers
*Political bytes
*Fundraising
*Coming our way
*Remembering Sy Brenner
Our Shtetl San Diego County: October 12, 2019 Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & EducationJournalist Chris Wallace was born this day (Oct. 12) in 1947.
Happy Birthday Chris Wallace Read More »
USAChoreographer Jerome Robbins was born this date (October 11) in 1918.
Remembering Jerome Robbins Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast
President Trump’s decision to withdraw American forces from Syria may well be remembered as one of the most egregious and inhuman disasters that he has ever taken since he came to power. For a President of the United States to make such a critical decision with so many implications, simply based on a conversation with Turkish President Erdogan, not only shows his shortsightedness and total lack of strategic approach, but his inability to appreciate how that will adversely affect our friends and please our foes. We are already witnessing the unfolding disaster, and there are no words to explain how and by what logic the President of the United States in particular can take such critical steps, knowing how disastrous the repercussions of his actions would be. (To read more, please click on the headline.)
An act of betrayal and infamy Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USA
Items in today’s column include
*State creates fund to protect at risk non-profit institutions such as synagogues
*What our children/ grandchildren are reading
*Jewish War Veterans to honor returning active duty service members
*Political bytes
*Coming Our Way
(To read more, please click on the headline.)
Our Shtetl San Diego County: October 11, 2019 Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Travel and Food
Israeli families, students and really everyone who has not left the country for vacation, takes to the streets by foot, bike or scooter. The whole country, every city and every street becomes a park. They begin walking around at sundown and do not stop until the next sundown. There are picnics, there are gangs of 10 year olds on bikes, there are gangs of girls on skates, there are toddlers in the middle of the street, there are skateboarders pulled by bikers, there are old men and young men, women and children, sitting on streets and corners and talking, enjoying each other’s company. They have no food, they have no drinks, there is no trash. It is just pure joy to be outside without having to go anywhere and without having to watch out for cars. (To read more, please click on the headline.)
Yom Kippur is very different in Israel Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Sam LitvinLeviticus 23:40 states that the Israelites should take four species on the first day and “rejoice before the Lord your God seven days.” While the Hebrew words used for the four species are obscure, the Jewish Publication Society’s 1960 translation defines them as “the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook.” An apparently separate command in verse 42 states, “Ye shall dwell in booths seven days.” The first biblical description of the implementation of this command is in the biblical book Nehemiah. It is entirely different than the way the holiday is celebrated today. (To read more, please click on the headline.)
Origins of the Sukkot holiday Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion