March 17, 2024
The Hostage's Cry
The days are, oh, so long.
The years of the past now seem so short.
I am waiting for salvation.
In my heart, I pray over and over:
“Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d,
King of the Universe,
Who sets free those in bonds.”
I know you are coming to rescue me.
I am waiting for you.
(AI generated image via Craiyon)
February 25, 2024
Imagine Peace
Families grow rather than attend early funerals.
Communities bustle and prosper rather than lie as dying evacuated ghost towns.
We all become part of a community of nations working to solve life's biggest problems, instead of planning how to maim and kill each other with greater pinpoint accuracy and effect.
(AI generated image from MS Designer)
Imagine Peace
July 30, 2022
Never Truly Alone
Alone, in the quiet.
There is pain, suffering, and loss.
Anxiety and depression.
But wait, there is also faith.
Never Truly Alone
July 15, 2022
An Army That Sings and Dances
In joy and tears.
By song and dance.
With an uplifted heart and a yearning soul.
Soldiers of the Holy Land.
They stand before G-d Almighty.
Ready to lay down their lives in complete faith.
The Redemption is here.
Just open your eyes.
Oh L-rd, return us to the Promised Land.
In joy and tears.
By song and dance.
With an uplifted heart and a yearning soul.
To serve You, and only You.
An Army That Sings and Dances
September 5, 2021
The Last Kiss Goodnight
Certainly, every human being has the desire to live and goes about fighting for life. It’s part of our genetic makeup and our very survival instinct. Yet, we all know that the cycle of life brings us from the beginnings of infancy to growth, the maturity of adulthood, then decline, old age and ultimately death itself. Truly, we all know the end from the very beginning, and with that we can achieve a greater awareness that what’s good in living isn’t the materialism and chasing the next “high,” but rather the ability to choose to do good and to be on a higher spiritual plane.Life is choice and having control over how we respond to life’s circumstances. Death is simply observing and being. Therefore, even if we merit being in the Divine presence in the afterlife, we still can’t actively help anyone, like those we love, any longer. This is why we want to merit life where we can continue to work on ourselves and help others. Thus, despite all the pain and suffering associated with life, it is more than offset by the opportunity to learn, grow, and transform our very essence in a purification process of our souls.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Last Kiss Goodnight
October 20, 2020
Best Looking Bees
These are some of the best looking bees that I've ever seen.
They almost look friendly.
No stinging, please!
Go ahead and pollinate the beautiful flowers.
Then go back to the hive and make us some delicious, sweet honey.
Bees bees bees. Buzz buzz buzz. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Best Looking Bees
October 6, 2020
Awesome Hot Air Balloons
Hot Air Balloons are so awesome!
Dreamy, drifting into the sky.
Flying away with a birds-eye view.
Looking near and far across the landscape.
To the sunrise and the sunset.
Calm, coasting, and carried by the wind.
Fire breathing into the balloon.
Up, up, and away.
My beautiful, my beautiful balloon! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Awesome Hot Air Balloons
September 16, 2020
Take Me To Your Leader
Anyone, anyone a leader here...
I need to find a leader.
Someone who I can look up to.
Who feels deeply, compassionately, and honestly cares about others.
With faith and integrity, and who does the right thing, regardless.
They inspire, rarely tire, and seek to make us all more than we otherwise are.
Imbued with discerning insight and an ageless wisdom.
Carrying forth a great vision, and a path and passion to get us there.
They bring unity, and stand alongside each and every one of us.
Never an autocrat, a bureaucrat, or a stinkin' rat.
Just someone who is a genuine leader. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Take Me To Your Leader
August 9, 2020
Finding Reality in a Floating Pink Abstract World
But when we return home to our Maker then we'll see beyond time and space what we could never see while we were enveloped in a physical body and a material world. For the spirit survives the life as our L-rd spans infinity and one day too we will rejoin with Him and discover what our eyes could never see and our ears did never hear.
For our heart was hardened of flesh while our soul was molten and deep until eventually we awake from our slumber and find what we always did seek.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Finding Reality in a Floating Pink Abstract World
July 21, 2020
Short Man Tall Man, What Do You Say
Almost like from Dr. Seuss.
Short man and tall man.
Actually a whole step taller.
Guy on the left, little stubby legs.
One on the right, long long legs.
When you're on a ladder, I guess it doesn't matter.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Short Man Tall Man, What Do You Say
June 23, 2020
Merry-Go-Round and Round
Merry-go-round and round.
Bobbing up and down, up and down.
Faster and faster and slower and slower.
Animal figures, colorful props, mirrors that reflect it all up.
Children smiling, children happy, what can be more satisfactory. ;-)
(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)
Merry-Go-Round and Round
July 13, 2019
I Pray For The Day
While I am a staunch supporter for the security of Israel, I pray for the day (a miracle) when Jews and Arabs can be brothers again--shoulder to shoulder--that embrace and help each other, rather than enemies "at each others' throats."
In my mind and heart, there has got to come a time when the hatred and violence ends, and when instead peace can and will prevail. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
I Pray For The Day
July 9, 2019
Smell The Flowers
G-d made them for us.
Soft petals.
Magnificent colors.
Fresh sweet smells.
The sound of rustling in the wind.
Absorbing the rays of sunshine.
Drinking the rain water.
Planted in the soil of the earth.
Magical flowers of life, love, and peace.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Smell The Flowers
March 5, 2019
Why We Chase Love
Chasing another heart, so that we can pair together makes two less lonely hearts.
Two hearts that beat as one making beautiful music together.
When the hearts are in harmony, we sway and are uplifted flying away into the heavens.
And when the music is discordant, we are forced to retune and to grow wings that we never even knew we had.
Hearts that complement each other, help us face the questions we often fear to ask ourselves.
When these hearts meet, they touch so gently, and like silk they dance a perfect dance.
What is meaningless alone is all of a sudden meaningful with another.
What is too painful to bear by oneself is manageable when shared between two.
And what is joyful is magnified in sweetness when there is someone else to enjoy it with.
One heart chases another until they embrace that long blissful embrace. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Why We Chase Love
January 26, 2019
The Beauty Of Words
Before Amos Oz could read the words themselves (by sounding our the letters), he learned to read by shapes! Amazingly, he saw the words in a whole new way. The "S" in "Snake" looks like a snake. Similarly the "F" in "Flag" looks like a flag on a pole. Again, an "eye" looks like a pair of eyes with the bridge of a nose between them.
"Language arts" really is an art that is poetic in sound, meaningful in thought, and even beautiful to look at--no different than a work of art by Picasso or Mozart. ;-)
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
The Beauty Of Words
December 25, 2018
See You Later Florida
Not a far flight.
Sun shines bright.
Water is blue.
Birds, fish, and animals like a zoo.
Nature is peaceful.
Shopping is plentiful.
Activities day and night.
Swimming makes me feel right.
Go to the beach.
Eat a peach.
Florida is the place to be.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
See You Later Florida
December 5, 2018
Stained Glass Majesty
It's not only artistic and colorful, but also it's a magical combination of opaqueness and translucence.
It provides cover and privacy from the outside world, yet it plays with the light that comes in through it to give a wonderful effect to any room.
If I could, I would make every room in every building with stained glass.
I would bask in the light and the color.
It would feel warm and holy--the light of G-d on me.
It's as if G-d and His holy host are streaming in from the Heavens, and surrounding me all about.
I feel lifted up in space and time stops, all is safe and wonderful in the world.
Beautiful and holy spiritual energy celebrating, dancing, and singing all around me. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Stained Glass Majesty
November 13, 2018
Beautiful Song On Being A Jew
This was a beautiful song that we learned this week in Ulpan.
I love it--being Jewish and the song! ;-)
Beautiful Song On Being A Jew
March 6, 2018
Makes My Heart Sing
The yellow butterflies with the background of the blue from the sky and ocean, and the white of the soft clouds.
Feeling like this makes my heart sing.
Sort of like love.
It's simple, but so clear.
We're free and flying alone, but together.
We're one with the universe and also with each other.
Butterfly, butterfly into the wild blue yonders.
No worries, just soaring, at peace, happy, and oh so free. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Makes My Heart Sing
January 27, 2018
The Most Precious and Beautiful Song
Sing from the Earth.
Sing throughout all the Heavens.
Sing from the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars.
Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.
Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.
Sing from the People.
Sing throughout all the Angelic Host.
Sing from the Animals, the Fish, and the Fowl.
Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.
Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.
Sing from the Begining of Time.
Sing throughout the End of Time.
Sing in the Morning, the Noon, and the Night.
Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.
Sing from the Mountains.
Sing throughout the rolling Valleys.
Sing in the Forests, the Cities, and the Seas.
Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.
Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.
Sing from every Tree.
Sing throughout the sprawling blades of grass.
Sing from every drop of dew, pouring of rain, and howling of wind.
Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.
Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.
Sing from each Word.
Sing throughout all your Deeds.
Sing in the Thinking, the Doing, and the Speaking.
Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.
Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.
Sing from every beating Heartbeat.
Sing throughout all your Breaths.
Sing in your Comings, your Goings, and Wherever you are.
Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.
Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.
Sing with your Material wealth.
Sing throughout all your Spiritual awakenings.
Sing during your Journey, at your Milestones, and when you arrive at your Destination.
Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.
Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.
Sing from your successes.
Sing throughout all your failures.
Sing during your tryings, your learnings, and your growing.
Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.
(Note 1: Incredibly, this is my first song and it came to me early on the Shabbat where we read the portion of the Torah when G-d miraculously led the Israelites through the split sea and they sang the "Shirah" (song) of thanksgiving to G-d for saving and redeeming them from slavery to freedom, and I didn't even know it was this Shabbat!)
(Note 2: I would love if someone can put this to music and make this into an amazing song to G-d.)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Most Precious and Beautiful Song