Preliminary data about the severity of the Covid omicron variant is “a bit encouraging,” the White House’s chief medical advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci…

It is currently unclear whether the variant’s mild symptoms in such patients are the result of it being a more docile virus or the result of protections offered by the vaccines.

It is way too soon to start thinking that, several experts told CNN. For one thing, that segment of genetic material may resemble a piece of the common cold virus, but it’s a very big stretch from there to say that means SARS-CoV-2 has started to evolve into something milder.

…we are working to fashion a framework under which local city rabbis can set up conversion courts. They will follow halacha, but the attitude will be different. They will encourage people.

Has the government missed the boat when it comes to mass conversion and preventing assimilation? The fact that lately, the number of mixed couples has increased while the number of converts drops shows that the new immigrants and their children – who are Israelis in every point – aren’t in a hurry to convert.

The plan is now being discussed at the governmental level. The most recent one emerged from Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau, who on Thursday said the outline of the conversion reform is a “spiritual disaster” and causes “severe damage to the Jewish characteristics of the State of Israel.”

Defense officials aren’t seeing a guiding hand or broad strategy linking the attacks. On the other hand, the battle over Jerusalem, and related religious sentiments relating to that struggle, are encouraging the attacks.

Hamas seems to have found a new method of warfare, which counters the IDF’s predictable response to its aggression.

The predawn attack is the fifth terrorist attack in the past two-and-a-half weeks, all carried out by lone wolves. Despite the increase in violence, the IDF told The Jerusalem Post that it will not be increasing its troop presence for the time being in the West Bank.

David seems immune to the nonsense that causes us angst on any given day. There’s something hot in knowing that if you tried to explain, say, an Instagram scandal or Twitter drama to him, he wouldn’t have the slightest idea what you were talking about, and more importantly, he wouldn’t even pretend to care.

Meh in both Curb and Seinfeld it’s supposed to be hilarious that an obnoxious, neurotic, very Jewish guy is great with the ladies.

Count me in as well. I always found Larry sexy. Smart, funny, and rich. What’s not to like?

When social niceties, common courtesies and mutual respect are abandoned, it’s not surprising what gets said—especially by those seeking attention and making mischief. Analogies become tortured. Pronouncements sound outrageous. Jokes come across as cringing and unfunny.

Flagrant and hurtful language doesn’t get us anywhere. It only causes damage. And beyond hurting the person we are targeting, it first and foremost hurts us all: our society, our ability to live here together, to build a common future together.

Nationwide, incivility and rudeness have been on the rise in all aspects of life — except at work — for the last several years. Even in 2019, 93 percent of people polled across the country reported that uncivil behavior was increasing; 68 percent called this a major problem.

During a recent Shabbat service, our new Senior Rabbi Mari Chernow pointed out the recurring theme of the panim, or face, in Jacob’s story. She concluded that the panim represents more than just the physical face. After many months of seeing faces partially covered by masks, we now know this to be true.

Chabad impacts every aspect of the Jewish ecosystem. It actively competes in the marketplace of Jewish ideas and identities, and pushes Judaism into the American public square and onto local street corners; it is a force on college campuses; and is leading Jewish conversations on social media.

The Book of Genesis offers insight on two different postapocalyptic awakenings. Noah and Lot each witness the destruction of their world and face the uncertainty of rebuilding. In response, they both drink copious amounts of wine, fall deeply asleep, experience sexual impropriety, and either remember nothing the next morning (Lot) or face consequences through curses (Noah).