JMag 

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Black-Eyed Peas for Rosh Hashanah

September 3, 2010, 12:28 am

Well, I thought I knew just about everything about Jewish food and had seen, heard or tasted it all, but I recently saw a reference for eating black eyed peas or rubiya or lubiya. I had not heard of this symbolic food before. We eat black-eyed peas in the hopes that our merits increase and we are purified. Read More »

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End of Summer Action Plan

September 2, 2010, 4:42 am

We hate to be a buzz-kill, but now is when you need to begin the transition from one season to the next, while taking the time to soak in the last of the warm weather.  But fear not, as the editors at SingleEdition.com, we have put together a checklist of things you should consider as summer (and your tan) begins to fade. Read More »

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Mordecai Manuel Noah

September 1, 2010, 10:24 pm

While one of the founding principles of the United States of America is freedom of religion, any historian would agree that in the early days this was often more principle than practice. Mordecai Manuel Noah, a lawyer, politician, journalist, diplomat and playwright (and a few other things) who was born shortly before the ratification of the U.S. Read More »

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The Lows of the High Holidays

August 31, 2010, 10:14 pm

As a kid, I always knew where to be for the high holidays. I would be in my seat in synagogue, with an occasional respite for “bathroom” breaks that devolved into 20 minute games of freeze tag. I know, lying to my parents is wrong. But it gave me something for which to repent. Read More »

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Fearing God

August 31, 2010, 10:04 pm

“The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge…” (Proverbs 1: 7) The idea of “fearing God” carries with it overtones of fire and brimstone, a puritanical flavor that seems foreign to our 21st century mentality. Read More »

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A Spot at The Single’s Table?

August 28, 2010, 2:42 am

Great food, free booze and an evening of dancing – how could anyone ask for a better Saturday night out? From the perfectly manicured flowers right down to the martini bar, nothing can change your mind, not even the endless supply of little cocktail wieners wrapped in flakes of crispy dough awaiting your arrival. Read More »

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The Maharal of Prague

August 28, 2010, 2:22 am

To the Jewish community and general population at large, the Maharal of Prague is the revered, mystical medieval rabbi who created the Golem to protect the Jews in the Prague ghetto. But the Maharal’s true contribution to Jewish life has little to do with the legend of the Golem. Read More »

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Besties, BFFs and Combos

August 27, 2010, 12:48 am

Recently, there was a bit of a scuffle regarding our President and a corned beef sandwich with, dare I say it- mayo! The classic Jewish amalgamation of corned beef and mustard on Rye was violated in a most sacrilegious way, oy vey! Don’t you know, Mr. Read More »

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Children of Abraham and Sarah

August 27, 2010, 12:04 am

“Children of Israel,” an often used title for the Jewish people, is a name defined by the familial relationship of the descendants of Abraham and Sarah. This familial relationship (which even DNA studies have confirmed) plays a strong role in both Jewish identity and Jewish life in general. Read More »

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Jennifer and Steven

August 26, 2010, 6:42 am

“My son likes to tell everyone, ‘that JDate sure knows what it is doing!’ I like to say that you have brought new meaning to the word ‘compatibility!’” Read More »

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Renee and Joey

August 25, 2010, 5:24 am

“…I decided to do something completely out of character. I raced over to Renee and kissed her for the first time just as she was getting her clubs out of her car…” Read More »

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Holiday Greetings

August 25, 2010, 5:18 am

The standard pre-Rosh Hashana greeting of “K’tiva v’chatima tova” (”May you be written and sealed for good”) is deduced from a Talmudic discussion concerning the three heavenly books that are opened during the High Holidays. Read More »

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Why You Should Yichud

August 24, 2010, 4:06 am

The Hebrew word yichud translates seclusion in English. Traditionally, unmarried men and women should never be secluded together, so, in theory, the wedding day is the first time this ever happens between the bride and groom. This law came about after the rape of King David’s daughter when she was left alone with her half brother. Read More »

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Honor The Hoary Head

August 23, 2010, 10:00 pm

Senior Citizen Day, an annual event observed on August 21st, is a day meant to both honor older citizens and to remind the government that seniors are a large and powerful constituency. Read More »

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Reincarnation

August 21, 2010, 3:24 am

Reincarnation is a word that to most Jews screams of foreign cultures. What is not common knowledge, however, is that the reincarnation of souls is a concept found in Judaism (although not mainstream) known as gilgul. Read More »

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Maximize Your Exposure

August 20, 2010, 10:38 pm

Finding your ideal mate can be like finding your next job. It takes a lot of time and effort, and the lazy people don’t get what they want. You need to be thinking about it every day and do things on a daily basis that will allow you to meet more single people than you are now. Read More »

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Pre-Date Snack Ideas

August 20, 2010, 7:12 am

An apple wedge or celery stick topped with peanut butter may sound like a sensible snack but if eating it takes you back to the 1980’s it’s no wonder. Read More »

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Dan, Son of Jacob

August 20, 2010, 7:00 am

Rachel had Jacob’s heart, Leah had his children. For four long years, Rachel watched her sister give birth to son after son until she could bear it no longer. Frustrated but determined, Rachel recalled the actions of her husband’s grandmother, Sarah, and gave her handmaid, Bilhah, to be Jacob’s wife. Read More »

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Duo of Watermelon Granites

August 19, 2010, 3:40 am

Prowl the farmers market and you will find different colors and varieties of watermelon. There is nothing more refreshing than a slice of cold watermelon, except for these simple and quick watermelon ices. I love the color and fragrance of these granites (French) or granitas (Italian). Read More »

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Seeking God in Elul

August 19, 2010, 3:26 am

Psalm 27 is read twice daily from the beginning of the month of Elul through the holiday of Sukkot in order to help each Jew develop the beautiful relationship that one can have with the Divine. Read More »

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The Council of the Four Lands

August 17, 2010, 10:26 pm

While Jews suffered greatly as societal outsiders in many of the lands in which they lived throughout history, sometimes there were beneficial perks–such as a moderate level of communal autonomy. This was specifically the case in Poland (and Lithuania) from the end of the 16th through most of the 18th century. Read More »

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Beer!

August 14, 2010, 12:56 am

In Tractate Pesachim 107a, beer lovers can find an interesting discussion about the use of beer for kiddush or havdalah . Read More »

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Halachic Authorities

August 13, 2010, 3:30 am

The connection between Rabbi Jacob ben Asher (the Tur, Barcelona, Spain, 1269-1340), Rabbi Joseph Caro (Safed, Israel, 1488-1575) and Rabbi Moshe Isserlis (Cracow, Poland, 1520 – 1572) is an excellent example of both the international Jewish community and of Jewish scholarship in general. Read More »

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Singled Out in a Small Town

August 12, 2010, 6:44 am

Small town life is really centered on married couples, except for the bar crowd which is not great for dating. Read More »

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The Alarm Clock

August 12, 2010, 6:28 am

New beginnings are always difficult.  For those who are not “morning people,” every day is a new beginning, and we must be thankful to whoever invented the alarm clock, which keeps us from being labeled as “slothful” and “lazy. Read More »

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Hang on to Summer

August 11, 2010, 5:44 am

The market stalls are bursting with produce. It seems as though everywhere I turn there is an abundance of riotously colored fruits and vegetables. The possibilities seem endless-so much food, so little time. Read More »

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Read This Blueprint Please

August 11, 2010, 5:30 am

Most people can understand the layout and basic measurements of a building from its blueprint. But it takes an expert–an architect or an engineer–to use those blueprints to build a house. Read More »

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Zodiac

August 10, 2010, 2:40 am

Horoscopes are fun to read, especially when they tell you that you are about to get rich or find sudden fame. While telling the future through one’s horoscope is not part of Judaism, this does not mean that all aspects of astrology are false. Read More »

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Corn 101

August 7, 2010, 12:22 am

I eat corn only during the month of August. It is not that I do not like corn-it is that I only like it when it is fresh off the stalk and locally grown. There … Read More »

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Birthday Cake For Shabbat

August 6, 2010, 11:58 pm

It is highly unlikely that Moses, Hillel even Maimonides (all experts on Jewish law) ever worried about what to write on a child’s birthday cake. But different societies have different norms, and, today, a birthday cake with a delightfully sugary “Happy Birthday” is standard for any birthday celebration. Read More »

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Touched By An Angel

August 6, 2010, 12:32 am

Virtually all topics concerning life are covered in the vast and varied discourses of the Talmud. Life, afterlife, and even pre-life. Read More »

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Outdoor Camping goes Glam

August 6, 2010, 12:24 am

After their camp’s 75th year reunion was cancelled, seven campers who spent many summers of their youth together decided to take the party elsewhere. The former bunkmates, each of them single and in their mid 30’s, quickly discovered that they had developed a much more sophisticated taste for adventure since those glory days of childhood. Read More »

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Get Down on the Floor-a and Dance the Hora

August 4, 2010, 10:12 pm

You and your groom got through the ceremony. The glass is broken. You spent time alone. The guests are enjoying cocktails. It’s time for your grand entrance. You’ll probably show off your first dance. Read More »

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How to Date Someone Who Is in Transition

August 4, 2010, 7:44 am

It happens to the best of us. We go into relationships with the best of intentions. We fall in love. We talk about the future together. We get engaged. We get married. Sometimes our relationships end abruptly through death or betrayal. Sometimes they just run their course. Read More »

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A Loan For Charity

August 3, 2010, 11:00 pm

Giving charity is one of the best known precepts of “religious” life. Making loans, however, is not. The Torah instructs (Deuteronomy 15: 7-8) that if there is a needy person within your gates, “… Read More »

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Finding Jews in Rural America

August 3, 2010, 7:52 am

I try to use the stage to spread love for the Jews, both with positive Jewish humor, and by simply being a Jewish guy the crowd likes. I am often the first Jew a lot of people meet, which is a ridiculous responsibility. Read More »

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When The Earth Moves

August 3, 2010, 2:20 am

This day in history: 501 C.E., the coastal city of Acco (Israel) was destroyed in an earthquake. One of the blessings recited every morning is: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who spreads the earth above the waters.” This blessing expresses our gratitude to God for making the ground beneath our feet firm. Read More »

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5 Things Every Woman Should Know Before Traveling with a New Beau

July 31, 2010, 4:02 am

There are certain defining moments in every new relationship; the first time you spend the night, hang out with his/her friends or get introduced to a new partner’s parents are just some of those milestones. Perhaps the biggest turning point is when a new beau suggests a vacation, trip or weekend away, just the two of you. Read More »

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A Midsummer Night’s Shabbat

July 31, 2010, 3:50 am

“Making early Shabbat,” means beginning Shabbat well before sunset. This is an especially important accommodation for residents of cities where the summer sun may not set until 9 or 10 at night. Read More »

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After A Snack

July 30, 2010, 2:40 am

After eating a meal with bread, Birkat Hamazon/Bentching/ Grace After Meals is recited as a way to thank and acknowledge God’s gift of sustenance. Read More »

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Not Just a Pretty Face

July 30, 2010, 12:16 am

Just when you thought you knew what to eat and what all the super foods were, another one appears on the list. Looks like Hibiscus is the new pomegranate. Read More »

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Adrienne and Alex

July 29, 2010, 5:12 am

“In fact, we each determined that we are so uniquely tailored for the other that neither of us would ever find a better partner than the other. Read More »

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Bruriah

July 29, 2010, 5:00 am

Bruriah, the daughter of Rabbi Hanina ben Teradion and wife of Rabbi Meir , is one of the more intriguing personalities of the Talmud. Read More »

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6 Cool Ways to Escape (and Survive) the Hot Weather

July 28, 2010, 4:54 am

  It’s official – we have entered into the second half of Summer and the heat is still on. With triple-digit temperatures within reach each day, it seems like the only options for staying cool are to stay indoors in front of the air conditioner. Read More »

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Art for Art’s Sake

July 28, 2010, 4:42 am

If there were a Cliff Notes version of the Ten Commandments, Commandment #2 would simply read: “You shall have no other Gods before me.” But, in truth, the commandment itself is more detailed. Read More »

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Sorbet 101

July 27, 2010, 1:00 am

Why make your own sorbet when you can just as easily go out and buy it? Simple. It is 100 times better when you make it yourself. Just like anything else, when you control the ingredients and their quality, the end result is always better. Read More »

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The Burial at Betar

July 27, 2010, 12:52 am

In war, a common means of humiliating the enemy is to refuse them burial of their dead (which is also forbidden by the Geneva Convention). Certainly, demoralization was the goal of the Romans when they forbade the Jews from burying the dead after the fall of Betar on 9 Av, 133 C.E. Read More »

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Your “How To” Guide on Surviving Restaurant Week

July 24, 2010, 3:20 am

Dining out at posh restaurants in metropolitan cities such as Manhattan, Los Angeles, Miami and Boston can seem very tempting for an initial date, but if you are a young professional it can be very expensive! One of the best inventions of the 90’s was Restaurant Week. Read More »

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What’s In The Book: Isaiah

July 24, 2010, 3:14 am

The Book of Isaiah is famous for its rich, metaphorical language. Isaiah ben Amoz was a prophet during the reigns of the Judean kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. The inhabitants of Judah, unlike those of the Northern Kingdom, had generally maintained the religion of their forefathers. Read More »

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How To Know If Your Relationship is Real or Just A Fling

July 23, 2010, 6:22 am

Men don’t walk around with a sign on their head that says, “Date me.” It would be nice if they were that obvious, but they aren’t. They aren’t mind readers or psychics. Can you imagine how easy dating would be if they were? But, if they care about you, they try to show you with cute little gestures. Read More »

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Burying The Books

July 23, 2010, 6:08 am

What happens when a Torah scroll is so worn it can no longer be used, or a prayer book is torn beyond repair? Should objects such as these, which not only include the name of God but have an intrinsic holiness themselves and are also essential Read More »

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Issachar, Son of Jacob

July 21, 2010, 11:20 pm

Before his death, Jacob gathered his sons to him and gave them each a blessing that specifically reflected their personalities and their futures. To Issachar, Leah’s fifth son, Jacob said: “Issachar is a strong-boned donkey, crouching between the saddlebags. Read More »

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Kiss My Glass

July 21, 2010, 12:30 am

On the big day, wedding guests “oooo” and “aaaahh” while bride walks down the aisle in a beautiful white dress. The bride enjoys a shower with important women in her life where gifts pour in like a hurricane into her lap. The bride receives an engagement ring that she proudly wears and presents to all those who gush over the exciting news. Read More »

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Mourning Jerusalem

July 21, 2010, 12:22 am

Today, Jews all over the world observe the fast of Tisha B’Av. It is on this day that the Jewish people mourn the destruction of both the First and the Second Temples. The First Temple was destroyed almost 2,600 years ago and the Second Temple 1,938 years ago. It is therefore not easy to understand what exactly it is that the Jewish people mourn. Read More »

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Gazpacho 101

July 17, 2010, 5:06 am

Gazpacho is a misunderstood soup. The true Andalusia version has almonds, bread, grapes, olive oil, vinegar and salt. Sometimes, anchovies are added. It is peasant food that utilizes leftover ingredients. The bread soaks up water, and then the mixture is pounded with a mortar and pestle. The gazpacho is creamy and refreshing. Read More »

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It’s Electric

July 17, 2010, 12:32 am

In the early 1900s, rabbinic authorities had to determine exactly what electricity was from an halachic (Jewish legal) perspective. The first uses of electricity were, of course, for light and heat. Read More »

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The Ban on Philosophy

July 16, 2010, 2:30 am

Rabbi Shlomo ben Aderet (a.k.a. the Rashba 1235-1310) was born in an age of controversy. The Jewish world was still unsettled over the first blend of “philosophy and Torah” produced by Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (Maimonides/Rambam – 1135-1204) in the late 12th century. Read More »

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Persistence vs. Stalking – Where to Draw the Line

July 15, 2010, 10:14 pm

Persistence is a good thing in life. They say that winners never quit and quitters never win. There is no such thing as luck. Instead, those that work hard and are diligent make their own luck. But when it comes to pursuing a woman, an overly persistent guy can be seen as a cyber stalker. Read More »

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Just for One Recipe Collection

July 15, 2010, 10:10 pm

Finding recipes that serve one person is no easy feat! For solos looking for meal ideas that are portion-friendly and delicious, the Single Edition Just for One Recipe Collection is a long-awaited treat. Read More »

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Nu, Don’t Eat

July 14, 2010, 2:42 am

A popular joke: Most Jewish holidays can be subsumed under the pithy phrase: “They tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat!” For a nation obsessed with food, what’s with all the fasting? Read More »

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