Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad, by Gordon Thomas

Read: February 24, 2013

Max Baer (Feb. 11, 1909 ~ Nov. 1959)

Maximilian Adelbert Baer was born in Omaha, Nebraska.  His father, Jacob Baer, was Jewish, but his mother, Nora, was not and the children were not raised in any particular religion.  Max, however, always identified himself as a Jew.

Baer began boxing professionally when he was about 20 years old.  In a fight against Frankie Campbell on August 25, 1930, Baer pounded Campbell mercilessly.  The referee did not interfere until Campbell collapsed.  The following day, Campbell died and Baer was charged with manslaughter.  He was eventually cleared of these charges.

In June 1933, in a fight billed as the Jew v. the Nazi, Baer fought against the German Max Schmeling.  It was during this fight that Baer wore a Star of David on his boxing shorts for the first time.  Interestingly, Schmeling was not a Nazi.  In fact, his manager was Jewish and during Kristallnacht, in November 1938, he hid two young Jewish teenage boys, who later escaped Germany.  They credited Schmeling with saving their lives.

Baer was married twice.  First to Dorothy Dunbar, whom he divorced in 1933, and then to Mary Ellen Sullivan.  His second wife was the mother of his three children ~ Max Baer, Jr., James, and Maudie.

Max Baer’s son, Max Baer, Jr., became famous as Jethro Bodine from the Beverly Hillbillies.

Baer died of a heart attack on November 21, 1959.  His wife insisted that he be buried in a Roman Catholic funeral in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Sacramento, California.

The Canvas, by Benjamin Stein

Read: February 10, 2013

The Aleppo Codex, by Matti Friedman

Read: February 10, 2013

Almost Dead, by Assaf Gavron

Read August 3, 2012

The Invisible Bridge, by Julie Orringer

Read: January 6, 2012

T'tzaveh / Exodus 27:20 ~ 30:10

T'tzaveh: You will Instruct.

This Torah portion picks up where last week's portion left off.  The Torah portion begins with commands about providing olive oil for the lighting in the Ohel Mo'ed, or Tent of Meeting.

The Torah portion then turns the the establishment of the priesthood and its accompanying rituals.  The priesthood flows through Aaron and his sons.   They are provided with special clothing to distinguish them from the other Israelites.  Great detail is given for the attire of the Kohen Gadol, or High Priest.

The Torah portion ends with summary.  After the tents and its furnishings have been completed, the priests were to be consecrated and G~d consecrated the Ohel Mo'ed and the whole establishment would become functional for the Israelites.