By Gary Rotto SAN DIEGO — In years past, I’ve rejected the commemoration of Tisha B’av. Over time, the legend of what an awful day this is for the Jewish people has growth. It’s become the Friday the 13th of Friday the 13ths – except for the fact that I don’t believe in Friday the […]
Tisha B’Av — a holiday for victims, not for modern Jews Read More »
Jewish Religion
Yom Kippur Readings: Inspiration, Information, Contemplation by Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins, Editor; ISBN 978-1-58023-438-2 ©2011, $19.99, p. 311 plus Sources By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — Why is Yom Kippur different from all other holidays? On all other holidays synagogues have a meager attendance, but on Yom Kippur they are filled to over
New book provides readings for Yom Kippur Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO–During The Three Weeks (Bein Hametzarim) culminating in Tisha B’Av, we mourn the destruction of the Temple, which was due to sinas chinam – unwarranted hatred. We also mourn the hatred itself and the disunity and isolation which it causes. When Jews are united, amazing things can happen as the
The power of Torah multiplied by community Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–Parashat Mas’ei begins with a review of the journeys of the Israelites after the Exodus: “These were the marches of the Israelites who started out from Egypt . . . Their marches, by starting points, were as follows:” (Num. 33:1-4) In the first half of Numbers 33:2 the Torah
Importance of the future… and the past Read More »
Jewish Religion
By David Ogul JERUSALEM — The discussion was getting a bit heated, in a polite sort of way. But the point made by the newlywed Israeli who is a native of New Jersey has caused me to think about what it means to be a Jew in America and the challenges we face. I was
Are American Jews lazy? Read More »
David Ogul, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — The tribes of Gad and Reuvain wanted to live on the other side of the Jordan River, which would separate them from the rest of the Children of Israel. Moshe realizing that this could potentially have a debilitating demoralizing effect on Klal Yisroel established parameters
Change for the good Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy David Ogul TZVAT, Israel –I had been gone from Jerusalem for less than 48 hours, but I was not the same when I returned. I suppose that’s what happens to a person when he experiences the holy spirit – the ruach – grabbing you, enveloping you, speaking to you, making you one with him.
Feeling the embrace of God in the land of Kabbalah Read More »
David Ogul, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Pinchus in his famous episode and the daughters of Tzelofchod in theirs, had the courage to not follow the norm like sheep. They weren’t afraid what people might think. They did what was right, not what was convenient, not what everyone else was doing. Our
Schooling for your dating career Read More »
Jewish ReligionHAIFA, Israel (Press Release)–Alongside the ox, sheep and goat, the list of ungulate animals permitted for consumption in Deuteronomy includes the aqqo, dishon and zemer but what exactly are these species? Could it be that part of the Israelite diet included rhinoceros, bison and giraffe, as some interpretations have offered? A new archaeozoological study has
What animals were kosher in biblical days? Read More »
Jewish ReligionThe God Upgrade: Finding Your 21st-Century Spirituality in Judaism’s 5,000-Year-Old Tradition by Rabbi Jamie S. Korngold, Jewish Lights, Woodstock, VT; ISBN 978-1-58023-443-6 ©2011, $15.99, p. 129 plus Appendix By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. Fred Reiss, Ed.D WINCHESTER, California — The Jews of seventeenth century Amsterdam repudiated Baruch Spinoza and his philosophy, which rejected much of traditional
A naturalist rabbi tells her God concept Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Bilaam possessed powers of prophecy that not only rivaled Moshe Rabbeinu’s, they exceeded Moshe Rabbeinu’s. With all the spiritual grandeur that he experienced, it was only natural that he would devote himself righteously to the ways of Hashem. Yet we see that he did no
When others experience miracles … Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — When we speak to Hashem, the King of kings, the Judge of judges, we should certainly use a respectful means of addressing Him. Yet when we say a bracha (Hebrew Blessing), we begin with the words “Baruch Atah” – “Blessed are You.” We actually address Hashem (G-d) in
Communing with HaShem Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Avigail Hurvitz-Prinz JERUSALEM–About a month ago my Talmud class did an exercise where we shared our reasons for studying Gemora. Everyone had their own reasons, and my list came up to a total of 21 reasons as wide ranging as “intellectual challenge” and “to have a sense of the Rabbinic world” or “to find
Why I learn Talmud Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — A common reason shared by non-Jews considering conversion to Judaism is that their former religious traditions discourage questioning. Judaism, on the other hand, encourages questions and even allows us to question God. Jews are the Children of Israel and Israel means “One who struggles with God.” Abraham, the
Yes, Cain, we are our brothers’ keepers Read More »
Jewish Religion