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.
Henry David Thoreau advised people not to work. This is a mistake. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Torah vs. Henry David Thoreau Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Staff and Bylined ContributorsVerse 7 clearly states that Moses first revealed God’s commands, and only after hearing them did the Israelites accept them. The verse is, “Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, ‘All that God has spoken, let us do and let us hear!’” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
‘Leap of Faith’ is Not a Jewish Concept Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Staff and Bylined Contributors
Tenenbom also mocks practices that rational thinkers would consider strange. For example, pious men feel that it is wrong to look at a woman lest they be driven to lust, but women can look at men because they are not so distracted. Also, married women cover their hair so that men do not become attracted to them. However, many buy wigs that make them more beautiful than they ever were before they wore them. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
‘Careful Beauties Ahead!’: Laughing at the Pious Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe current holiday called Shavuot is not a biblical holiday. No Jewish holiday is practiced today as the Bible mandates. Shavuot, called Pentecost in English, is a good example. The current observance of the holiday has no relationship to its biblical ancestor and doesn’t even occur at the same time. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Secrets of Shavuot Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsVirtually every significant person mentioned in the Torah had faults, just like other humans. In addition to instructing people how to act, the Torah teaches readers that all humans make mistakes, which they can correct to become all they can be and an example for others to follow. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Many People Misunderstand the Hebrew Bible Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsI consider Peretz’s story “If Not Higher” the best of his tales. In it, the Hasidim of the town of Nemirov believe their rabbi is so holy that he ascends to heaven each year during the Penitential Prayers, which are recited in synagogues every Friday morning before the New Year holiday Rosh Hashanah. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Learning from Isaac Leib Peretz’s Masterpiece ‘If Not Higher’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsPeople persuade Gimpl that the town’s pregnant prostitute is a virgin who is in love with him and wants to marry him. They claim that a youngster living with her is not her child but her brother. He believes them, goes to her, and proposes marriage. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Isaac Bashevis Singer’s tale ‘Simple Gimpl’ is Dissected Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Staff and Bylined ContributorsAlthough Kreisel does not stress it, I think it is essential to remember that Maimonides did not think the Messianic Age would begin miraculously. It will start and continue as a natural event. People, even the Messiah, will die during this period as they do now. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Maimonides’ Idea of the Messianic Age Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Many, including Spinoza’s family, fled to Amsterdam, where Jews were tolerated as long as they did not “clash with (Amsterdam’s) Calvinism on such matters as the immortality of the soul, belief in the afterlife, God the creator or the divine origin of the Holy Scriptures – all dogmas that Spinoza would later repudiate.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Spinoza: A Latter-Day Disciple of Maimonides? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsWhile the book is very good, not everybody will agree with everything that Manguel states. I do not know of any book about Maimonides that everyone would think is entirely correct. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Much to Learn about Maimonides in Yale University-Published Book Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe biblical holiday Passover, a significant event in Jewish history, disappeared entirely when the Romans destroyed the temple in 70 CE. This cataclysmic event marked the end of an era and led to a significant shift in religious practices. However, its name, Passover, was resurrected and given to the holiday Chag Hamatzot, symbolizing the resilience and adaptability of Judaism. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Year Passover Died Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe first Passover is a unique event celebrated by the Israelites in Egypt just before their exodus. It is described in Exodus 12:1-11. It stands out from the subsequent Passovers mandated by the Torah. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Why was the first Passover different from all other Passovers? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Thirty-five Jewish men and women contributed short essays to stimulate participation. One points out that Moses tried to persuade God not to send him to Egypt by saying, “I am not a man of many words.” However, tonight, we read how he led the Israelites from slavery. Doesn’t this show that limited words can achieve great things? Can you think of examples? [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
A Very instructive Haggadah Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
It includes 15 scholarly, easy-to-read essays, such as “Israel’s Enemies,” “Lincoln Dying on Passover,” “An American Moses,” “An American Joshua,” “The Power of Imagination,” and “America’s Favorite Prophet.” Virtually every page has paintings or drawings, and many famous Jewish and American leaders are mentioned and their teachings narrated. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
A New Superb Haggada in Time for Passover Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors