Dr. Israel Drazin served for 31 years in the US military and attained the rank of Brigadier General. He has a PhD in Judaic Studies and a Masters Degree in psychology and a Masters Degree in Jewish Literature. He is an attorney and a rabbi.
He developed the legal strategy that saved the military chaplaincies when its constitutionality was attacked in court, and received the Legion of Merit for his service.
The weekly biblical portion of Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18) contains many common-sense rules demonstrating how the Torah humanized ancient laws in other cultures. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Common Sense Laws in Mishpatim Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe Decalogue, which most people mistakenly call “The Ten Commandments,” is contained in the fifth Exodus biblical portion, Yitro, which Moses repeats with many changes in the fifth chapter of Deuteronomy. Some Jewish philosophers, rabbis, and non-Jews disagreed over what exactly the Bible was saying in these statements. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
What Do the Ten Commandments Really Say? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Dr. Shapiro reveals Rabbi Kook’s surprising, sometimes radical, and breathtaking ideas, prompting us to rethink what we have accepted as sensible. It is the best book I have read in years. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Rav Kook’s Unique Vision Told by Author Marc B. Shapiro Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Our regular readers will not be surprised that in this book he poses answerless questions intended to make us think. He speculates about the sacred and the mundane, inquiring in chapter 30 “What do we know about God?” and in chapter 26 about “Ethical behaviors concerning shoes.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Rabbi Drazin’s Speculations Generate an Eclectic Book Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin PIKESVILLE, Maryland — I have been reading and reviewing the inspiring, fascinating books by the brilliant writer Rabbi Dr. Charles H. Freundlich for over ten years and have enjoyed them all. Sol’s Journey, his eleventh fiction book since he started writing them at age eighty, is no exception. It is
‘Sol’s Journey’ Contains Good Advice for American Jews Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAMany words associated with religion have lost their meaning, and when synagogue and church leaders use them to inspire their people, they frequently lead them astray. The following are some examples. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Many Words Associated with Religion Have Lost Their Meaning Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsTen of the eleven portions in the book of Exodus and many portions in other of the five books of Moses begin with the Hebrew letter vav. Why? How should it be translated? Lexicographer Reuben Alcalay defines the letter vav as “and,” “also,” “but,” “therefore,” and “then.”Most translators use “and,” which does not seem appropriate in modern English. Perhaps “then” is better, but it is rarely used. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Never Stop Questioning the Whyfors of Biblical Expression Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsQuestioning the Bible leads the questioner to consider possible solutions. This, in turn, can lead to learning, prompting the questioner to act. Action is the goal. It leads to self-improvement, which, in turn, improves other humans and all creation. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Benefits Derived from Questioning the Bible Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsJudah steps forward in the biblical portion of Vayyiggash, Genesis 44:18-47:31, which means “steps forward.” Judah stepped forward near Joseph to defend his younger brother Benjamin, whom Joseph was threatening. The Torah likes Judah, as do most Jews and some Christians today. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Judah Personified What Jews Should Be Read More »
Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsPeople of all religions frequently describe some things as holy and devise sacred ceremonies that involve them without realizing they are false. They do so because others thought they were holy or because of superstition or flawed reasoning. The Scroll of Antiochus is an example. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Scroll of Antiochus, an Interesting Fiction about Hannukah Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
One of Drazin’s central arguments is that the Bible often raises more questions than it answers. Many biblical terms and events are left undefined or unexplained, such as the meaning of “heaven” in the creation narrative or the significance of humanity being created in the “image of God.” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
‘Mysteries of Judaism’ Encourages Readers’ Questioning of the Torah Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe biblical portion Mikkets, Genesis 41:1-44:17, is fascinating. It reveals some different, more mature, and intelligent acts by Jacob’s son Joseph than the 17-year-old youngster who tormented his brothers who sold him into slavery. Still, there are some questionable, even troubling, behaviors. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Life and Education of the Biblical Joseph Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe Torah generally reveals little or no information about women. We are told that Jacob had a daughter named Dinah, but there is no more about her than what is mentioned in the drama. It does not tell us that Jacob had other daughters. It only reveals this in Genesis 37:35, where it states, “All his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him (Jacob),” and 46:15, where it states Leah, Jacob’s wife, bore thirty-three children with Jacob among “his sons and daughters.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Comparing Dinah and Joseph Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsWas Rashi correct in thinking Jacob was righteous? Some might argue that, in many ways, he was like other humans. He had good and bad points. He made mistakes, as we all do. But generally speaking, he was not uniformly righteous. They will say that Jacob’s mistakes are recorded in the Bible to teach us that we must avoid mistakes. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Was Jacob Righteous? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors