HEBRON, Israel — While many Israelis fly off to various points around the globe for Passover, those of us who stay home and are fortunate enough to have some time off during the week-long holiday use the time to explore and get to know the country better. One group that’s helping make that happen […]
Israelis pour into Hebron for Passover Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–Some of our seder customs were originally introduced to help children pay attention during the service (for example the youngest child asking the Four Questions and the hide and seek game played with the afikoman). Over the years most of us have found it is just as challenging to keep
Some questions for the adults at your seder table Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Sandi Masori SAN DIEGO — Oh, oh, first night of Passover is coming Friday night, April 6, and with it, a big, big meal. What is a weight-conscious Jew to do? That’s the question I put in the video embedded below to Shari Marks, a rebbitzen who, having shed 60 pounds herself, is now
Some weight-conscious tips for Passover Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Pesach is a time of salvation and redemption. Despite our bitter bondage, we were faithful to Hashem (G-d) and the ways of the Torah. Against all odds, open miracles occured to sustain our lives and freedom. This happened then and it still happens now as the following true
A matzo miracle… when it was most needed Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Leah Singer SAN DIEGO — I was reading Sunrise, Sunset to my daughter, Sophie. Sunrise, Sunset is a story using the words of the famous Fiddler on the Roof song. As I was reading the story, Sophie interrupted and asked, “Mommy, why is that man wearing a scarf?” I told Sophie it’s called a
Mommy, what is prayer? Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Leah Singer SAN DIEGO — Many of you have heard of the December Dilemma — the conflicts that arise when interfaith families need to chose how to celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas. But few talk about what I’m calling the Spring Dilemma — Passover and Easter. I hesitate even mentioning them in the same sentence
The Spring Dilemma: matzo v. chocolate bunnies Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Sheryl L. Rowling SAN DIEGO –As usual, the Money Maven needs to take a break for “tax season.” Luckily, the Passover Fairy has agreed to answer your questions. The Money Maven will return next time! Dear Passover Fairy, I’m trying to save money. Passover food is so expensive! Nobody even likes to eat matzo!
‘Passover Fairy’ answers some Money Maven-type questions Read More »
Jewish Religion, Sheryl Rowling
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —Children have an unusual ability when it comes to confronting our spiritual hypocrisy as parents and as adults; very often they get to the essence of the problem as they perceive things. Frequently, as parents, we often fail to hear the questions our young people ask of
Answering the ‘wicked child’ at the seder Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM–Surprised? Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reveals in their latest data that 88 percent of Israelis will take part in a Seder and 47 percent eat only kosher for Passover items during the holiday. Meantime, as Pesach approaches, latest figures from the National Insurance Institute’s 2011 poverty report indicate there are
20 ways to know Pesach is arriving in Jerusalem Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
SAN DIEGO — Our thanks to Melanie Rubin, who has spotted a license plate with double Jewish interest. MAZLTAV, of course, means good luck in both Yiddish and Hebrew. But there is also the specialty ‘Yosemite’ plate on which the happy expression is printed. Some pronounce it ‘Yo-Sem-It-Ee,’ but others, think of the
Double-interest license plate Read More »
Jewish Religion, Melanie Rubin
The Jewish Gospels by Daniel Boyarin; ISBN 978-1-5955846-8-7©2010, $21.95, p. 200, including notes and index By Fred Reiss, Ed.D WINCHESTER, Callifornia –Thanks to the Jewish general and historian Josephus and the Greco-Jewish philosopher Philo, we know a great deal about the internecine spiritual arguments among the Jews from the mid-second century BCE through the end
‘The Jewish Gospels’ examines emergence of rabbinic Judaism and Christianity Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Although we are free from the physical bondage our ancestors suffered in Egypt, this does not mean that we are no longer enslaved. I realized this during a recent trip I took out of the country. Judy and I were vacationing in a city where our cell phones
Why we are commanded to rid our homes of chametz Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Hashem (G-d) in His infinite mercy redeemed us from our bitter bondage. Not only did He free us physically, Hashem with boundless love restored our spirits emotionally and psychologically. We have the capacity both to pick ourselves up and to restore and comfort others, as the following true
Rekindling good spirits after a tragedy Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK — For several years now, I have been taking a train to work every day. Not a subway train, mind you, but an old-fashioned inter-city railroad train, complete with a conductor who collects the passengers’ tickets and even shouts, “All aboard!” I enjoy my daily train ride
Spiritual conversations with the man sitting next to me Read More »
Jewish Religion