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.
Samuel David Luzzatto (1800-1865), known as Shadal based on the initials of his name, was brilliant. Many people enjoyed his common-sense interpretations of the Torah. However, human nature is what it is; some people dislike and criticize his writing. Some even said he was not religious. I disagree. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Shadal’s Rational Views on Leviticus Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
David Friedman served as US ambassador to Israel from 2017 to 2021. He was intimately involved in Israel-Arab affairs, met and held talks with leaders of both sides, and was one of the architects of the Abraham Accords. He demonstrates in his brilliant 2024 book One Jewish State why a two-state solution is based on flawed premises and will ultimately fail to solve anything. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Book by Former Ambassador Lays Out the Argument for One Jewish State Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAThe ending of the Book of Exodus teaches that true freedom comes when we are neither the puppets of fellow humans or God but live a life where we improve ourselves, be all we can be, and help other people and all that God provided in the universe. (Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin)
Pekudei Teaches That Humans Should Rely on Themselves Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsSadducees insisted that the Sabbath home must not have a fire burning on the Sabbath. It must be dark, sometimes even cold and gloomy. Pharisees interpreted the verse to restrict igniting a new fire on the Sabbath, and contrary to the Sadducees, they saw the Sabbath as a day of light, warmth, and joy. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Religious Disputes Through Time Destroyed Nations Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe ninth weekly biblical reading in Exodus, Ki Tissa (30:11-34:35), tells us significant details about God, the Torah, and the Shabbat, revealing deep meaning and significance that should affect our thinking and behavior. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Hidden Meanings in Ki Tissa Torah Portion Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsMoses commands the people to remember Amalek: “Remember what the Amalekites did to you on the way when you left Egypt weary and worn out from your journey. They attacked all lagging in the rear, without fear of God.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Command to Remember Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsHe wrote many books, including a series called The Rational Bible. I find much in them interesting, but I differ from him because he takes Bible stories literally and is usually convinced that the events really happened. I see many events as parables and read many statements as metaphors, hyperbole, and poetry. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Agreements and Disagreements with Dennis Prager Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe idea established by Jewish ancestors to read the entire Pentateuch yearly and derive benefits from it is very sensible. But very few people take advantage of this gift. They pay scant attention to the Torah reading in the synagogue, do not bother to read it at home, and get as much out of the portion as people who never open the Bible and mock people who read it. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Common Sense Teachings in Terumah Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe 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 Contributors