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.
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 […]
Bereishis and Ancient Creation Stories Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle EastShemini 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
Moneychangers, debt, slavery, and charity Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, LifestylesFirst 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
Sabbath observance, animal sacrifice, leaving fields for gleaning Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionThis 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]
Ancient rock symbolism, veneration of elders, victories Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MDFrom this brief selection, I chose three passages for comparison, from the Internet, with ancient Israel’s neighbors concerning old-age parenthood, casting out children, and conflicts over water. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Ancient practices: Old age parenthood, casting away children, water conflicts Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionNitzavim/ 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.]
Biblical and ancient ‘chemistry’ and spirituality Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle EastKi Tavo (Deuteronomy 26-29:8) –From this parasha, I have chosen four passages concerning first fruits, tithing, divine treasures, and iron use for comparison, from the internet, with ancient Israel’s neighbors. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Ancient practices: first fruits, tithing, divine treasures, iron use Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle EastFrom Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19, I have chosen four passages for comparison, from the internet, with ancient Israel’s neighbors regarding female captives, death penalties, found objects, and mixing prohibitions. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Ancient practices: female captives, death penalty, found objects, mixing prohibitions Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionThis 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]
COVID-19: Medical breakthroughs, research cooperation Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Irv Jacobs, MD, Science, Medicine, & EducationFrom this parasha, I have chosen four passages for comparison with texts from ancient Israel’s pagan neighbors, concerning capital punishment, codes of law, cities of refuge, unsolved murders [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Ancient practices: Capital punishment, codes of law, cities of refuge, unsolved murders Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionI have chosen four passages for comparison with texts from ancient Israel’s pagan neighbors dealing with curses, destruction of cities, false prophets, and rules for sacrifices. (Irv Jacobs, M.D.)
Ancient practices: Curses, burning cities, false prophets, rules for sacrifices Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionI have chosen four passages for intended comparison with texts from ancient Israel’s pagan neighbors regarding patience, living on bread alone, giants, and powerless gods. (Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Ancient practices: patience, living on bread alone, giants, powerless gods Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionI have chosen four passages for a comparison with texts from ancient Israel’s pagan neighbors, concerning divine wrath, wisdom, divine rescue, and sacred voices. (Irv Jacobs, M.D.)
Ancient practices: divine wrath, rescue, wisdom, sacred voices Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionBy 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.]
Ancient practices: leaders’ complaints; judicial systems, and giants Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion