Is science fiction Jewish?

It's a fair question. Is science fiction Jewish?Some bloggers say yes, science fiction, is Jewish!The Exploring Our Matrix blog brings up the question in this way, "Is the Oldest Science Fiction in the Talmud?"The basis for the question is this text from the Talmud (b. Menahot 29b) which presents Moses as a time traveler.Rab Judah said in the name of Rab, When Moses ascended on high he found the Holy One, blessed be He, engaged in affixing coronets...

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How Peter Salovey is related to Rav J. B. Soloveitchik

In a comment to a Yale Daily News story, Peter Salovey, president of Yale explained his relationship to Rav Soloveitchik. (Hat tip to Billy.)My Friends,Here's how the family tree grows, as I understand it:First there was Joseph Ha-Levi Soloveitchik of Slobodka and Kovno. He had a son Isaac. Isaac had two sons, Moses and Abraham. Moses had a son, Joseph, who was the rabbi of Kovno and was married to the daughter of Chaim Volozhin. Joseph had two sons,...

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Is Yale President Peter Salovey Jewish?

Yes, Yale President Peter Salovey is a Jew. He is also a psychology professor, a bluegrass musician (see article) and a cousin of my rabbinic teacher, Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Hat tip to Billy for bringing this to our attention. Here is an article from the Yale Daily News that describes the president's rabbinic relationships.Salovey’s rabbinic legacyBY AHRON SINGERIn 19th-century Europe, a Rabbinic dynasty arose that would change the face of Orthodox...

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Times: Mindful Golf Works

The New York Times in Keeping Your Eye on the Ball reports on studies that prove what we already knew for years, to wit, if you watch the ball at impact as you drive or swing or putt, you will hit a good shot:Training yourself to keep your eye on the ball -- which most of us don't actually do, it turns out -- can significantly improve golf putting, a new study shows, as well as basketball shooting, soccer penalty kicks and other ball-related activities.Check...

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Our Disproof of Heaven

We read a puff piece in the Times today about "Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife" by Dr. Eben Alexander III, "Readers Join Doctor’s Journey to the Afterworld’s Gates."We also read a slam of the book on Salon, "Dr. Eben Alexander’s so-called afterlife. A doctor says he proves heaven's existence in his bestselling book. Is that a symptom of meningitis or megalomania?"Alexander claims he (or his soul) visited heaven...

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Is Nicki Minaj Jewish?

No Nicki Minaj is not a Jew. Rap Genius says, "Onika Maraj, born December 8, 1982, known by her stage name Nicki Minaj, is a rapper. She was born in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago, and moved to Queens when she was five." Wikipedia says, "Her parents are of mixed Indian and Afro-Trinidadian ancestry."Nicki does sing about God on one version of the hit song by Alicia Keyes, Girl On Fire (Inferno Version).Her rap lyrics wrap up that incredible song:[Nicki...

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Is the Mayor of New York City Always Jewish?

No, the mayor of New York City is not always a Jew. Though several of the past mayors were Jews, It looks like the next mayor will not be Jewish. The Times wrote today, "With No Major Jewish Candidate, an Unusual Absence in the N.Y.C. Mayor’s Race." The Times reported on this matter: In the 11 elections since a Jewish candidate, Abraham D. Beame, first won a Democratic mayoral primary in 1965, Jewish Democrats (Mr. Beame, Mr. Koch, Ruth W. Messinger...

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Wolpe Pans Oz

David Wolpe, rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, does not approve of the new book "Jews and Words" written by Amos Oz and his daughter Fania Oz-Salzberger. Although Wolpe praises the book as, "lovely and unwittingly elegiac" in the end he rejects the idea that of a secular appreciation of Jewish religious literature like the Tanakh and the Talmud. See "Atheist of the Book: A grand old man of letters meets the literature of Judaism." An oversight...

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Oops, I ate all the little bits while carving the turkey

Happy Thanksgiving to all our readers and friends.God's Favorite Prayers...

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Thanksgiving Turkey Drumstick Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Pie Table Song - A Lone Pumpkin Grew

Thanksgiving will be upon us soon and we sing traditional holiday songs at our Thanksgiving dinner.Here are the words to one of our favorites...Oh a lone pumpkin grew on a green pumpkin vine.He was roundhe was fathe was yellow."No silly jack-o-lantern shall I make," he said."I'm determined to become a useful fellow."So he raised up his headwhen the cook came aroundand at once he was chosen the winner.His fondest wish came truehe was proud pumpkin...

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Thanksgiving Sermon of Rabbi Zev Zahavy 1943

Here is my dad's sermon from 1943 for the holiday of Thanksgiving.Click here for Rabbi Zev Zahavy's 1943 Thanksgiving Sermon, published by the RCA, Rabbinical Council of America. A big hat tip to Zechariah for finding this and sending it to ...

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Start Today - Quit Smoking for Good

The Times has a good article on how to quit smoking. The Cancer Society designated today as the great American smokeout day for this year.The American Cancer Society is marking the 37th Great American Smokeout on November 15 by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting — even for one day — smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can...

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The Talmud of Madoff and Wiesel: Review of a Drama at the Garage Theatre at FDU in Teaneck: Extended to November 18

We recommend that you go see the Madoff Drama at the Garage Theatre at FDU in Teaneck, now extended to November 18.We saw it, and our instant review is that this is a worthy play and a spirited first-rate production by a polished professional group - and right here in our back yard!Talmudic ReviewThere are Talmudic references in the script of "Imagining Madoff." But that is not what makes it a Talmudic play. No, it is Talmudic because it creates...

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Happy Diwali to our Indian Friends

We wish our Indian friends, Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist, a happy Diwali, their national Festival of Lights.May the light of the diyas in their clay pots fueled with oil remind us to strive constantly on the part of good over the evil within ourselves and in our societi...

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Is Eric Cantor Jewish?

Yes, Eric Cantor is a Jew. Wikipedia reports about Kantor:Cantor, the second of three children, was born in Richmond, Virginia, the son of Mary Lee (née Hudes), a schoolteacher, and Eddie Cantor, who owned a real estate firm. His paternal family immigrated from Eastern Europe in the early 1900s and his maternal grandfather was born in Romania. His father was the state treasurer for Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign. Cantor was raised in...

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NYTimes Video: Surviving in the Rockaways

Some of the immensity of the destruction and suffering in our area is evident from The New York Times N.Y./REGION: "Surviving in the Rockaways" -- "Life is still far from normal for residents in the Rockaways. Two weeks after Sandy, thousands are without power and heat and there are few services available in the neighborhood."...

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Is David Petraeus Jewish?

No, former CIA Director David Petraeus is not a Jew. Petraeus is a Christian.David Howell Petraeus was born in Cornwall, N.Y., on Nov. 7, 1952. His father, Sixtus, was a Dutch-born ship captain who met David's mother, Miriam, at the Seaman's Church Institute in New York.Shortly after graduating from West Point, Petraeus married the daughter of the academy's superintendent, Holly Knowlton. Holly and David were married on July 6, 1974 at West Point's...

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Right Wing Echo Chamber announces Sore Losers response to President Obama's victory

The right wing echo chamber, as broadcast by Rush Limbaugh and others of his ilk, has announced the intent of the vast right wing conspiracy not to accept their presidential election defeat with grace or with good-sportsmanship, but to continue the negative rhetoric of the campaign and to behave badly as sore losers.In Teaneck we have a rabbi sore loser (whose name will not be mentioned on this blog because he has been excommunicated from this blog)...

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Stunning Cell Phone - Samsung Galaxy S3

We upgraded our cell phone to the stunning Samsung Galaxy S3. In particular we love the clarity of the display and the speed of the processor and the Android system. The battery is a weakness. Especially when Sprint's signal is hard to find, the battery runs down quick...

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Mazal Tov Barack - Obama's Victory Speech

From NPR audio and transcript of Obama's excellent victory speech.JTA reports on an exit poll that shows Obama garnered 69 percent of the Jewish vote, down from the 74-78 percent he received last ti...

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Video: Mitt Romney's Mormon Religious Belief: There will be "a war that's coming in to kill all the Jews"

See this video clip. As part of his Mormon faith, Mitt Romney believes that there will be "a war that's coming in to kill all the Jews" (at about 1:35 in the video) and that Jesus will come to "split" the Mount of Olives to stop it and then he will reign in Jerusalem and Missouri.Mitt gets defensive, argumentative and testy in this interview. It makes me worried and uncomfortable to hear that this man believes Jesus will come back and protect "all...

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Vote for Barack Obama for re-election

We endorse Barack Obama, not just because we have a son named Barak. We believe in his politics and policies. Although we expect Barack to win by a big margin, it is important that you go out and cast your vote for him.This Times op-ed by Haim Saban makes a good case for Obama's support for Israel.Obama's convention acceptance speech was inspiring.We need a visionary liberal political leader in the White House. We do not need a CEO for the USA who sure would distribute more wealth to the wealthy and cut off costs and benefits from more and more...

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Back to Teaneck with Power and Gas

Power is back. Gas in car. Great losses all around due to the forces of the hurricane and the surge of the sea.We need time to process all of this.Here is a summary news report from jpost of how the storm's events affected Teaneck's Jewish community.44 New Talmudic Books for Kindle | The Amazing 36 Volume Kindle Talmud in English | Whence and Wherefore | God's Favorite Prayers...

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