Judaism

By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO –The last few verses of the traditional Birkat Ha-mazon (Grace after Meals), consisting of verses from the book of Psalms and Jeremiah, are usually sung with a cheerful and uplifting melody. One verse, however, is not sung out loud by some participants. Among the other verses praising God is […]

By Rabbi Ben Kamin Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — On a just-completed trek to the Yucatan Peninsula and its environs, something was reinforced for me that I had just learned during a Ramadan visit to the central mosque here in San Diego: if we all just calmed down and listened to each other, we’d

By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — How many times have you heard a rabbi say, “You should live a Jewish life?” Ad nauseam, I’m sure. Well, doing so is easier than you think! A young man was studying with the chassidim of the Rebbe of Kotzk while his father-in-law supported him. He eventually had

By David Strom David Strom SAN DIEGO — Alvin Rosenfeld, the author/editor of several important books about the Holocaust, has written a book that is thoughtful and challenging to our perceptions of what the Holocaust means. The End of the Holocaust is a critical survey of the vast range of assaults on our collective Holocaust

By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — A wise man once wrote: “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em Know when to fold ’em Know when to walk away Know when to run.” His sage advice and lyrical advice came to mind this summer. I attended a lecture by a very well respected professor.  He

By Gary Rotto Gary Rotto SAN DIEGO — I really miss my daughter.  She comes home today from her first overnight camp experience – with Camp Mountain Chai.  I have to admit, I didn’t go to overnight camp as a kid – with the exception of a one week basketball camp.  It wasn’t until I

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

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

  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