An often mentioned but little explored concept in Judaism is mysticism, or as Jews refer to it, Kabbalah. Literally translated as “tradition,” this school of thought builds its theology off an ancient prolific text called the Zohar, which focuses entirely…
In search of the Israeli Bob Dylan
Israel is a place characterized by multiple conflicts. Situated in one of the most politically unstable regions on the globe, the nation-state of Israel is comprised of ancient populations and recent arrivals who have sedimented its modern society into layers…
On the Topic of Free Will
One of the topics that the majority of people find difficult to understand – is the topic of “Free Will.” Non-Jewish Astrologers always debated whether there is Free Will or not. If indeed there is, as most of them admit,…
Namaste Shalom: Intercultural Event Hosted at UCLA
Bruins for Israel (BFI) and the Indian Student Union (ISU) co-hosted an intercultural event called Namaste Shalom Wednesday night with hopes of creating stronger bonds between the two communities. Intercultural events between the two groups are not new. This event…
The Bund: Hereness and Resistance
Doi’kayt– a Yiddish word signifying “hereness.” For decades, this was the central principle of the General Jewish Labor Bund, a multinational and decentralized labor organization of Yiddish-speaking Eastern European Jews. Founded in 1897, the Bund and its various branches was…
Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Come to OU-JLIC Minyan in the Morning
1. Free, delicious breakfast Bagels, coffee, eggs, and more! The most important meal of the day becomes so much greater after a refreshing dose of davening in the morning! 2. Meet new people Looking to meet other Jewish Bruins and…
Zionism: A Brief Guide in Perplexity
It’s the perfect moment in which to re-examine Zionism afresh–and not only because of the recent spate of fighting between Israel and Gaza, the controversy surrounding the SJP national conference held some weeks ago here at UCLA, or the fact…
Parashat Beshalach: Building the Relationship with God
One of the most unfathomable instances and awkward transitions in the entire Torah takes place right in the middle of this week’s parsha. The people had just spent months seeing God’s power firsthand, experiencing grand miracles, watching what God had…
Makkat Bechorot and the Great Cry in Egypt
In the climax of the ten plagues visited upon Egypt, Hashem commands Moses to tell the Israelites to sacrifice the Paschal lamb and smear its blood on the doorposts of their houses, in order to save themselves from Makkat Bechorot,…