Publications

Please read introspective and philosophical stories by Baruch Cohon. You may find it interesting to browse Rabbi Baruch Cohon's blog >>

What is the Land of Israel? - Among the debates flourishing in today’s media, from print to internet and back, Israel/Palestine ranks high. History, religion and politics intersect in the Middle East generally and on the banks of the Jordan in particular. Extremists on the Jewish side proclaim that what is called Greater Israel is the eternal inheritance of the Jews. That concept would expand the boundaries of modern Israel considerably, to the dimensions of Solomon’s kingdom, including territory now governed by Syria, more or less governed by Iraq and Egypt, and an integral part of the kingdom of Jordan. ... >> click here to read more

Same Sex Marriage - Want To Talk About It? - California Supreme Court action recently legalized same-sex marriage. Another ballot proposition could make it unconstitutional. Debate rages about marriage law in general and homosexuality in particular. All right, let’s talk about homosexuality. While we’re at it let’s talk about definitions of marriage and the concept of family. Difficult subjects, all. Subjects that many politicians would rather avoid – and talk show hosts thrive on. Subjects that increasingly concern our courts and our media. ... >> click here to read more

Weapons of Economic Destruction - Oil prices hemorrhage. Stocks collapse. Jobs evaporate. Billions in government checks, meant to stimulate investment, only buy overpriced necessities. And experts express varied opinions about the squeeze we find ourselves in. What causes it? Supply and demand? Third world countries going modern? Protection of Alaskan wildlife? Somehow nobody mentions the 1800-pound camel in the living room... >> click here to read more

The 60 Second Hour - Patience was never my long suit. I’m not one to spend an afternoon in a store looking for just the right pair of pants for just the right price. If I don’t see something I can use in the first five minutes, goodbye. Rather than stand in line in the post office, I call UPS. -- One activity, however, I was trained to undertake patiently. Reading. Not a fast reader, I learned to savor a good writer’s style. Even if the content didn’t turn me on, I always managed to finish a book”... >> click here to read more

How Jewish Are You? - Recently I went to see a new musical, an original production with hopes for Broadway. What its chances for Broadway might be, I can’t judge. But what impressed me about it was one song. The title stuck in my mind and indeed can give us all something to think about. The song was titled “You Can’t Be a Little Bit Jewish.”... >> click here to read more

Yortzite Thoughts - Every year certain dates bring special memories. Yortzite – or Yarzeit or יארצייט or however you want to spell it – the anniversary of death of a next of kin, is a hallowed observance for many of us. We light the memorial candle. We find a synagogue and say Kaddish, if we can. And we spend a few minutes with echoes and mental pictures or faded photographs of Mom or Dad or some other close relative that once shared our life. ... >> click here to read more

A Century of Idelsohn - This month between Purim and Passover used to be called Jewish Music Month. I'd like to observe my own lifelong connection with Jewish Music by recalling a man who pioneered the science of that music, a remarkable cantor and ethnomusicologist named Abraham Zevi Idelsohn. I had the great privilege of learning from him. On the hundredth anniversary of his birth I wrote this brief story of his life and work for the Cantors Assembly Journal. ... >> click here to read more

DEBUNKING WORLD WAR II - ... If we lose, the best designed domestic policies – health care for all, economic stimuli, superb education, you name it – won’t be worth the proverbial tinker’s dam. Because they’ll be rapidly repealed by Sharia law. Women will walk around in black pup tents. Thieves will have their hands amputated. And anyone who dares criticize Mohammed will be stoned to death, like an immodest maiden. ... >> click here to read more

LEAP YEAR AND ISRAEL - Leap years bring many interesting developments, from American election campaigns to special conditions in the Jewish calendar. A case in point is Yom haAtzma-ut, Israel Independence Day. Most years, the anniversary of Israel’s independence occurs during a week when we read Torah passages like Tazria & Metzora, detailing ancient laws and remedies for dreaded diseases like leprosy. Not the most welcome text for a national celebration. This year, however, because of the added month that makes a Jewish leap year, Israel Independence Day will fall on the week of Emor. That juxtaposition can give us food for thought. ... >> click here to read more

CONVENIENCE, CONVICTION AND THE ELECTION - Why do you attend a certain house of worship? Belong to a certain club? Buy a subscription to a certain theater? Of all the possible alternatives, how do you choose? ... >> click here to read more

AMALEK AND EGYPT - Jewish holidays are times of contrast and uniformity. Oh yes, we all know about “they tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat.” That, supposedly, is the uniform part. But the contrasts are much more dramatic. Take Purim and Passover for example. ... >> click here to read more

HANUKKAH AND PASSOVER - As the Hanukkah week draws to a close, I think of some conversations with friends who wonder why children in day school should have vacation this week, when their parents are working and really don’t want them home. Somewhat the same reaction takes place on the Passover week. ... >> click here to read more

THE ATTITUDE IS GRATITUDE - The American Thanksgiving is a delightful holiday, with good food, good friends, family gatherings. One day a year when we hear various people tell us to count our blessings. ... >> click here to read more

COLORFUL WORDS - “Barnum,” a favorite Broadway musical of ours, features a song called “The Colors of my Life” which contrasts the personalities of the legendary showman P. T. Barnum and his sweetheart Chairy, using an allegory of color. ... >> click here to read more

A NEW YEAR OF PEACE - Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur bear many imprints. They are welcomed as symbols of another year of life, occasions for family gatherings, opportunities to enjoy the comradeship of fellow Jews in prayer – including those we didn’t see since last year. New clothes, special foods, even a very special lack of food for all those who can observe Yom Kippur with the required full day fast. ... >> click here to read more

DECISION FOR THE DECADE - Meet a budding political dropout. Me. I don’t contemplate this move lightly. After all, I’m proud to say I cast my first vote for Harry Truman. For the succeeding 59 years I voted in every election I could. I believe in our system, despite the fools and scoundrels we sometimes put in office, and I believe everyone eligible should take part in it. I cheered when they lowered the voting age to 18, remembering the days when I was considered old enough to risk my life for my country but too young to vote. Or even to buy a drink. So what changed? ... >> click here to read more

A HANDFULL OF STARS - It happened nearly 40 years ago and it remains a highlight in my life. The boy was 3 years old, maybe 4. He woke up one morning and said: “I had a dream last night. I was holding a lot of stars in my hand”... >> click here to read more

BIG SIBLING - I could call you Uncle Sam, but that might be politically incorrect. I could call you Aunt Samantha, but then the initials wouldn’t match the United States. And the United States is the subject. I won’t even go the Orwellian route to call you Big Brother... >> click here to read more

Please also browse Rabbi Baruch Cohon's blog >>

CDs with music by Baruch Cohon

Publications