Jewish Religion

By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO– On Thursday, Sivan 28, 5764, June 17, 2004; Rebbetzin Pesha Leibowitz, a”h, returned her soul to her creator. “The Rebbetzin” as we called her, was at the  same time very simple and very complex. I was privileged to be able to fly in from San Diego for the levaya […]

By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Parashat Sh’lach L’cha has a special meaning for Judy and me as we are shortly leaving for Israel. I will be attending the Shalom Hartman Rabbinic Training Institute, a two-week study program for rabbis living outside of Israel. The Rabbinic Training Institute is one of the rare programs

By Daniel Vahab NEW YORK– For more than I year and half now, I have been writing a  book on antisemitism. To further my research, I developed a survey on the subject. .  The short, anonymous survey, open to all, explores how Jews and antisemitism are perceived, as well as the thin line between a

By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Rabbi Eli Rosenholtz told me that Reb Dovid Leibowitz ztz”l, Rosh U’meyaseid Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim (RSA), used to cite the Talmudic dictum, that one  should learn not only from the teachings of his rebbe, but from his actions. Reb Dovid would then exhort his talmidim (students): It looks

By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN  DIEGO — Parashat Naso contains one of the most beautiful passages in the Torah: Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing. Every Friday evening parents use these words to bless their children at the Shabbat table. It is also used by rabbis to bless their congregants on special occasions. “The Lord bless

By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–For years CNN.com has been my homepage. I like to check out national and international news at the beginning of my work day. (The second web page I always check is haaretz.com.) One article in particular caught my eye this morning: “17 Recent Political Sex Scandals.” (http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/05/17/political.sex.scandals/index.html?hpt=Sbin) The article highlights

By  Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Hashem counts us over and over again. Each new census is a new show of His great love and affection for us. There is one natural response to this, as Rav Chaim Volozhin teaches, “How is it possible for us to declare in the Shema prayer that we

By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO–We often wonder where our happiness will come from – and when? The Torah tells us the answer, “Im Bechukosai tailaichu”  If we follow in Hashem’s ways we will find happiness and fullfillment. The Mishnah tells gives us the same message, “Eizehu ashir hasameach bechelko” “Who is wealthy? He who

By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — This week we begin our exploration of the Torah with a trivia question. For 613 Mitzvah points, which Jewish singer-songwriter helped pen the following opus to the virtues of hard work? Money for Nothin’ Now look at them yo-yo’s, that’s the way you do it You play the

By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–Shortly after the death of Osama Bin Laden by American Special Forces, Rabbi David Wolpe of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles posted the following comment on his Facebook page: “Yesterday, Yom Hashoah, Bin Laden was killed. The proper reaction is sobriety, not revelry. This is a time to remember those