Brave, strong, and dedicated to the survival of Israel.
May their memory be a blessing!
Also a beautiful video my daughter, Minna sent to me.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Showing posts with label Judaism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Judaism. Show all posts
May 8, 2019
Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) @JCC Rockville
Brave, strong, and dedicated to the survival of Israel.
May their memory be a blessing!
Also a beautiful video my daughter, Minna sent to me.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 27, 2019
Barking And Biting
Sometimes, when they bark, they don’t bite. But other times, the bark is the prelude to the bite. I don’t think you can judge intentions by the bark, and I am certain you need to always be ready for the bite. Dogs and people are not really that different. Over millennia of history, Jews have been threatened and persecuted–barked at and bitten, and they have not been mutually exclusive.
The Jewish people are few in number and with a small but miraculous and wonderful country--we know that rabid dogs that bark against us, also can bite ferociously, and we must take every threat seriously for our very survival.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 21, 2019
And There Came A New King Who Knew Not Joseph
As we commemorate Passover, we remember that:
In Egypt, the Jews rose to the highest ranks, with Joseph being second only to the Pharaoh, and “Israel settled in the land of Egypt in the region of Goshen; they acquired property in it and they were fruitful and multiplied greatly.” (Genesis 47:27) But then: “A new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” (Exodus 1:8) Similarly, in Europe, the Jews had risen to the highest ranks of society, they were free and prospered. They prospered and thrived religiously, and built synagogues and yeshivas to worship and learn in. Moreover, the Jews thought they were Germans (and other European nationalities), like everyone else, and that they were fundamentally safe. That is, until there arose a “new king,” Adolf Hitler (may his name be cursed forever), “who knew not Joseph.”What will happen in America that we all love--will the pendulum swing once again to hate and anti-Semitism, where there comes a new king that does not know Joseph?
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 19, 2019
Novel Passover Haggadah
April 15, 2019
The Passover Menorah
So what's with the menorah?
Well my friend, John Akkus (of Akkus Silver Touch), made this beautiful piece for me.
I love the fine handiwork of copper, brass, crystals, Jewish symbols (Stars of David) and bold colors of this amazing menorah.
John sells his art at the annual Suglarloaf Festivals in the Spring.
I am so glad I found this wonderful menorah--it is beautiful all year long (through Chanukah and Passover).
Thank you John and nice job! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 14, 2019
The Mitzvah of Vaccination
According to the CDC, "Getting MMR vaccine is much safer than getting measles, mumps, or rubella"...for yourself, your families, your community, and for all the other innocent people out there who want to be and stay healthy, please get vaccinated; do your part as a good citizen and Jew.
Getting vaccinated–it is a mitzvah and please G-d, for all, a L’Chaim!
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 11, 2019
Israel 4th Nation To Reach the Moon Surface - Mazel Tov!
What an unbelievable achievement for Israel.
Even without a soft landing, Israel is the 4th country in the world to reach the moon surface.
The Moon Club of Just Four:
USA - The Most Powerful
Russia - The Largest by Landmass
China - The Largest by Number of People
Israel - The Holy Land!
Mazel Tov on this truly great accomplishment.
We are all so proud of you! ;-)
March 23, 2019
Purim In Israel, Chabad Style
We had the privilege to be in Israel for Purim night. We are going down Ben Yehudah Street in Tel Aviv looking for a synagogue for Megillah reading. Out of nowhere comes this Rabbi in Purim costume dashing down the sidewalk on roller skates. He pulls up in front of me and asks me to join them at the Chabad shul (#770 of course). Who can say no when Chabad is not only so cool and inviting, but also always helping to keep our minds focused on doing another mitzvah and towards the ultimate coming of Mashiach.
Over and over, I find you just gotta love everything about Chabad--they understand faith, ritual, and people's hearts and for that and their acceptance of all Jews, I truly appreciate them. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 24, 2019
Interfaith Movie Today
The movie is about a Palestinian woman who becomes “the first woman judge in a Shari’a ‘family law’ court.”
Let's just say it wasn't easy for her to break into this male-dominated profession within institutionalized religion in the Middle East.
Thinking in an interfaith way, I guess it's maybe not so dissimilar to women breaking into the profession of the Rabbinate.
Another similarity between the religions was that there were many Islamic religious leaders that were very conservative and dead set against women in the Shari'a courts, while others stood up against the tide and inspired change--I think we have similar disagreements in Judaism between the ultra-orthodox who want to stick with the "old" historical ways of doing things, and the more liberal Jews that seek the freedom to alter those ways.
During the movie, there were some interesting take-aways like under Shariah law, men are allowed up to 4 wives!
Another funny line in the movie was when one of the men said that the men never make trouble for the women (i.e. it's all the women's fault).
In the court cases filmed, there seemed to be a lot of cases of domestic violence and of divorce, and in one case in particular the wife was actually stabbed to death in the court house by her husband who she was trying to get a divorce from.
Overall, it felt good to attend the event and try to be a part of the healing process between people.
The event was sponsored by the Jewish-Islamic Dialogue Society (JIDS) of Washington, D.C.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 23, 2019
Fire Alarm, Now What?
Friday night–the start of the Shabbat–oh, thank G-d we made it (and TGIF). Usually such a wonderful time to catch up on some extra sleep from the whole week of work. But last night it’s different…the fire alarm suddenly comes alive and the voice over the loud speaker tells everyone to exit the building immediately. It is 1:00 AM in the morning.
Carrying a head cold, medicated, and sleepless, this is what happened to me. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 15, 2019
Shabbat Shalom!
February 9, 2019
Choosing Good Over Vice
But yet, if everyone would just act out on each other based on their unbridled wants and desires, oy vey what a truly terrible world that would be...From uncontrolled desires for food, drugs, alcohol, gambling, honor, money, power, sex, and more–it seems like everyone has their little secret fetish. Whether it's coming from their head, their heart, or down below...the key questions is how much can they control themselves.
However, inside us, our soul, like the Ten Commandments in the Holy Ark, guide us so that we aren't just animals chasing game or tail, but are human beings trying to become angels.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 15, 2019
Transcending Suffering and Impermanence
The Budha says:
Life is suffering.
Why? Because life is impermanence--whatever we gain, eventually, we must lose.
- Riches, power, people, health, even our memories perhaps.
In a sense, this is like the saying from "War of the Roses":
There is no winning, only degrees of losing.
However, there is one exception to the impermanence and loss in life:
The only thing that is permanent is our good deeds, and with this we can achieve an everlasting good name for ourselves.
In Judaism, we teach:
A good name is better than fine oil.
Hence, this is the permanence that we strive for in life and in death.
If we can attain a good name through purity of soul then in a sense, we can transcend life's suffering and impermanence.
By becoming non-attached to all of life's temporary things, and instead focusing on perfecting ourselves, we can free ourselves from suffering and from this world, and then we can go on in everlasting-peace to the afterlife.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 1, 2019
Miracles of Charity and Faith
What better way to welcome in the New Year of 2019 then with some inspirational true stories about amazing people and their faith in G-d and doing what's right. Recently, I saw firsthand from some special people, the miracles that happen when one is charitable and sticks to ones beliefs.
As my father always taught me about G-d and doing what's right: "Stick to your convictions!" ;-)
(Source Photo of this amazing Tzedakah (charity) box in Israel: Minna Blumenthal)
December 2, 2018
On The First Night Of Chanukah
Please see my article in The Times of Israel called, "The Lesson of the Candy Lane Menorah."
It was a beautiful ushering in the first night of Chanukah by Chabad of Bethesda, Maryland. The "candy" menorah that they were going to use was somehow destroyed, but Chabad came with a spare--they are terrific...even when things go wrong, miracles can happen, but we have to be prepared like Chabad was tonight.
Happy First Night of Chanukah to everyone! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Triad of Determinants: Nature, Nurture, and Soul
We are not just what nature and nurture make us–but rather, there is a third leg of this triad of factors that make us who we are, and that third and most important element is that we each have a soul. The soul of each person guides us to choose between right and wrong, good and evil, and sacred and impure, and to not just give in to our weaknesses, which each person has.
Hope you enjoy the article! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 25, 2018
Who Is More Religious?
Of course, I am sure many good people are trying to do the right thing and genuinely practice to be better servants of Hashem. However, this should never become an excuse to use religious practices to misguidedly “compete”–hurt or shame–and somehow “one up” their neighbor’s religiosity or status as fellow Jews. That would be to erroneously think that G-d can’t see all His children as good and deserving in their own ways, even though the creator can certainly see what is in the heart and in the doings of all of us.
Hope this resonates with many of you who are kosher but feel unfairly (mis)judged by all the latest variations these days. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
43-Year Old Bar Mitzvah
Today in a beautiful Chabad synagogue here in Florida, the Rabbi called to the Torah a bar mitzvah. But in this case, the bar mitzvah "boy" was a 43-year old man!
Read what happened and hope you enjoy! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 17, 2018
Striving To Be Good Enough (This Time Around)
I too believe strongly in reincarnation. I think that is partially what G-d means by doing justice in this world. If you bomb out in life and don't fulfill your true potential than G-d sends you back for another try. And this can happen as many times as it takes to get it right!
I hope I am getting it right in my life this time around. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 5, 2018
My First Article in the TOI - The Samson Dilemma
"The Samson Dilemma"
I was struggling with what to say.
And then the words came pouring to me when I awoke at 4 am.
It comes from my heart, and I am grateful to G-d for bringing me to this time.
Hope you enjoy the article.
Andy
(Source Photo of Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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