By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
The Torah commands us to keep the Shabbos in Parshas Vayikra, Perek Yud Tes, pesukim lamed and lamed alef. In addition, we are told not to utilize the services of the “oivois” and “yidoinim.” The Gemara in Sanhedrin in daf samech heh, amud bais explains that oivois and yidoinim were people who practiced kishuf (sorcery). They would bring up the soul of a departed person either by putting a bone between two joints or by an elbow. They would then question the soul. The Gemara adds that this sorcery would not work on Shabbos; it would only be successful during the week.

Washington – More U.S. women are dying from pregnancy-related causes, and more than half of those deaths are preventable, government health officials said in a report Tuesday. Although these deaths are rare — about 700 a year — they have been rising for decades, especially among black women. “An American mom today is 50% more [...]

Philadelphia – Zahav, an Israeli eatery in Philadelphia, won the James Beard Foundation award for outstanding restaurant. The 2019 winners of the prestigious award were announced Monday during a ceremony in Chicago. Jewish chefs Michael Solomonov, a native of Israel, and Steve Cook founded the restaurant, whose name means “gold” in Hebrew, in 2008. Zahav’s [...]

Jewish elementary school students in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Maale Zeitim came under attack as Arabs targeted them with fireworks. The youths and adults of the gated community situated in a primarily Arab-occupied area of the capital are unfortunately accustomed to rock and other attacks directed against them by the Arab population, which is all too often hostile.

Israelis stood in silence on Tuesday night as a one-minute siren sounded nationwide to mark the start of the annual Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism.
A total of 23,741 soldiers have died defending Israel, while 3,150 civilians have lost their lives in terrorist attacks throughout the country’s history.
Another siren — two minutes in length — will be heard in the morning on Wednesday, when many Israelis will visit military cemeteries to pay respects to departed family members and friends.

Heightened trade tensions between the United States and China are spooking financial markets and putting a chill on prospects for the global economy.
Chinese officials are heading to Washington to try to salvage negotiations aimed at breaking an impasse between the world’s two biggest economies over Beijing’s aggressive push to challenge American technological dominance.

Washington – The U.S. military said on Tuesday that B-52 bombers will be part of additional forces being sent to the Middle East to counter what the Trump administration says are “clear indications” of threats from Iran to U.S. forces there. White House national security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday that the United States [...]

President Donald Trump has signed off on a new immigration plan being spearheaded by senior adviser and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner that appeared to receive a positive reception from Republican senators briefed on it Tuesday.
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