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.
I have chosen three passages from this double parsha, for comparison with ancient non-Israelite practices, from what I could find in internet sources, concerning votive offerings, sexual repression, and military campaigns. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Ancient practices: votive offerings, cruelty, military campaigns Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle EastI have chosen three passages from the parasha for comparison with ancient non-Israelite practices concerning divinely appointed priests and poliical leaders; and the inheritance rights of daughters. (Irv Jacobs, M.D.)
Ancient practices: Divinely appointed priests, leaders; inheritances of daughters Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USAI have chosen four passages from these two parshot, for comparison with ancient non-Israelite practices regarding purification, sacrifices, water-bearing rocks, snake bites, and spells. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
I have chosen four passage types from the parasha, for comparison with ancient non-Israelite practices, from what I could find in internet sources. They concern such subjects as rebellion, salt, incense, and miracles. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Ancient practices: Rebellion, salt, incense, miracles Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionThe Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center re-opened last Monday, with limitations to its fitness offerings. The staff is still finding its way, under the circumstances. Activities are available Monday through Friday, and Sundays. The equipment from the fitness center has all been moved to the basketball court, which has the space to enable the required separation of participants. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Lawrence Family JCC slowly resuming fitness activities Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, San Diego CountyI have chosen three passages from this week’s parsha, for comparison with ancient non-Israelite practices, from what I could find in internet sources. (Irv Jacobs, MD)
Ancient views of military scouts, cowardice, and divine retribution Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle EastI have chosen five passages from this week’s Torah reading , for comparison with ancient pagan practices, from what I could find in Internet searches. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Numbers 4:21-7: 89 I have chosen three passages from these readings, for comparison with ancient pagan practices, from material on the internet. I must inform the reader that it often is difficult to pull from internet the information desired. I repeatedly re-phrase and simplify my questions, often with little or no yield. My reports reflect the limited information I find. I also make no pretense to be as academic as a university scholar. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Ancient laws regarding wrongdoing, adultery, and nazarites Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle EastThis Shabbat we divert from the usual sequence in the Torah to read special passages related to Shavuot. … I have chosen two passages from these readings, for comparison with ancient pagan practices, from what I found on the internet. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Ancient practices of charity, debt collection, slavery Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle EastI have chosen three passages from this parasha (Bamidbar) for comparison with ancient pagan practices, from internet sources. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Censuses, war camps and first-born redemptions in the ancient world Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle EastDr. Irv Jacobs scours the Internet to find parallels and contrasts between biblical ideas and those of the pagan world on such subjects as leaving land fallow every seven years, duties of slaveholders to their slaves, and the concept of divine rewards and punishment.
Ancient ideas: agriculture, slavery, divine punishment Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionI have chosen three passages from Leviticus 21-24 for comparison with ancient paganism, from internet sources. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Priestly duties, animal sacrifice, blasphemy in ancient societies Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionAharot Mot/Kedoshim Leviticus Chapters 16-20 deals with multiple topics including specified rituals for Aaron, notably about a sin offering. It involved a bull plus two he-goats, one for a sacrificial sin offering, the other to be loaded with community sins and sent off to the wilderness. This ceremony is identified with Yom Kippur. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Ancient practices: scapegoats, charity, hybrids Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionLeviticus 12-15 – The text deals with purification procedures after menstruation and childbirth; evaluating and separating out various skin lesions, and stains on objects, to sort the serious from the benign; the purification of a healed leper/leprous lesion; and dealings with venereal discharges, benign or serious. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Ancient views on menstruation, epidemics STDs Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education