Irv Jacobs, MD

Irv Jacobs

Irv Jacobs is a retired medical doctor who delights in Torah analysis.  He often delivers a drosh at Congregation Beth El in La Jolla, and at his chavurah.

Bereishis and Ancient Creation Stories

  By Irv Jacobs, MD LA JOLLA, California —  This essay covers creation stories; rivers in the Eden and pagan stories; and snakes and serpents in mythology. Genesis 1:1-6:8 The creation stories, and Genesis in general, offer a different focus in my year-long project, because they are more legendary than historical in flavor. I have […]

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International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle East

Moneychangers, debt, slavery, and charity

Shemini Atseret, 8th day of Sukkot, Deuteronomy 14:22-23:44 By Irv Jacobs, M.D. LA JOLLA, California — This essay covers: ancient moneychangers; debt and slavery relief; and dealing with the needy. These readings are part of parasha RE’EH, which was read on the Shabbat of August 15th.. I have, to the extent possible, avoided redundancy to

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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles

Sabbath observance, animal sacrifice, leaving fields for gleaning

First Day Sukkot, a Sabbath: Leviticus 2:26-23:44 By Irv Jacobs, M.D. SAN DIEGO — This article discusses: the mandate to observe the Sabbath; the prohibition on sacrifice of an animal before eight days of age; a prohibition on harvesting the edges of one’s field; a warning of death for non-observance of Yom Kippur. I have

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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion

Ancient rock symbolism, veneration of elders, victories

This week’s reading is mostly a poem (vv. 1-43) recited by Moses, followed (vv. 44-52) by his entreaty to the Israelites to follow the Teachings, and finally God’s order to Moses to view the promised land from afar, and lastly his death. As is the nature of poems, it is filled with literary images and devices. I have chosen three poems for comparison, from the Internet, with ancient Israel’s neighbors.  Rock symbolism, veneration of elders, and military victories are the subjects. [Irv Jacobs, M.D]

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Irv Jacobs, MD

Biblical and ancient ‘chemistry’ and spirituality

Nitzavim/ Va-Yelekh (Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30) — From this double parasha, I chose three passages for comparison, from the internet, with ancient Israel’s neighbors. These were difficult passages on which to inquire of the internet, since they are literary figures of speech more than concepts of action. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]

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International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle East

COVID-19: Medical breakthroughs, research cooperation

This book describes “a battle that pits viral biology against human intellect and capability.”

An exciting approach to generating treatments for Covid19 is the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Taking the known structure of the virus, scientists are able to inquire as to susceptible target sites on the virus for creating drug treatments and vaccines. The goal: theoretical structure and synthesis of biomedical compounds to achieve therapeutic results. [Irv Jacobs, MD, MPH]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Irv Jacobs, MD, Science, Medicine, & Education

Ancient practices: leaders’ complaints; judicial systems, and giants

By way of introduction, the Book of Deuteronomy is labeled as Moses’ Last Discourse, and thus touted as a review of Exodus through Numbers. However, it is quickly seen that the text of this book departs in numerous details from what is contained in the three preceding Torah books. I have chosen three passages from this parasha for a comparison with texts about the Israelites’ pagan neighbors. I chose such subjects as leaders’ complaints; judicial systems, and giants. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]

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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion