1+5=6
1=1
1+2=3
Mystical, holy 613 (number of commandments in the Torah).
May Hashem bless us in his mercy.
(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
Showing posts with label Torah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Torah. Show all posts
May 28, 2016
613 Synagogue
1+5=6
1=1
1+2=3
Mystical, holy 613 (number of commandments in the Torah).
May Hashem bless us in his mercy.
(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
May 25, 2016
Lag B'Omer Hillula @ Magen David
May 17, 2016
613 The Perfect Trip
Check out the cost of this vacation trip to Yellowstone National Park.
It's not $599 or $699 like you would usually see these things advertised for.
Instead the family adventure starts at $613!!!
Too many times now, too frequent, and in too many different places to be just random or chance.
Someone is trying to tell us something.
Hopefully, it is a sign for blessings for mankind. ;-)
(Source Photo: Ellen Weiner)
May 4, 2016
613 Buses
This is the sign on the bus shelter by the Foggy Bottom Metro.
Two buses are on the way--the M36 and M31.
Both coming to the same bus stop.
One immediately right after the other.
Read top right to lower left...613.
Within ten minutes I saw yet another 2 signs on the metro train in 2 different locations...both 6 car trains coming right after each other in 1 and 3 minute intervals.
(Note: Metro also has 8 car trains that it usually alternates with the 6's, but today none were in sight at either station).
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
April 27, 2016
Friendly Sightings 613
So this is a first where other people are contacting us with their experiences seeing 613 (the holy mystical number of Commandments in the Torah).
These two photos of a police car and a no smoking sign are coming to us from South Florida.
Also, I experienced another weird 613 experience this week in that I was number 36 in The Top 100 Most Social CIOs (see the 613).
If you see 613 in extraordinary ways in your life, please feel free to share the them with Dannielle and I.
We hope and pray at this time of Passover (commemorating redemption and freedom) that this is a sign of great mazel and blessing for all our times. ;-)
(Source Photo and with gratitude to Ms. Ellen Weiner)
April 14, 2016
Boarding 613
So this was pretty amazing with the mystical number 613.
Today, it showed up on the arrivals board for the trains, and I literally had to run down the train platform to capture this photo after my daughter saw it in the distance from the escalator.
Under destination (DEST) and minutes (MIN) for wait, the first line says boarding (BRD)--although just a moment before it said arriving (ARR).
Then the next two lines has the trains arriving in 6 minutes and in 13 minutes, respectively.
Also note that this same morning I saw 613 twice more (for a total of 3 times) on the train car/doors and in the phone number for a truck parked in front of the grocery.
I am no prophet, but I believe that something important or perhaps cataclysmic is about to happen ("arriving") in the world.
Interestingly enough, in 10 days is Passover--the redemption of the Jews from slavery in Egypt along with the giving of the 10 commandments (of the total 613) on Sinai.
Now is a good time for faith, devotion, and prayer--that is my feeling for what it's worth. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 10, 2016
Success Is Not A Silver Spoon
It is by Christopher Chabris and Joshua Hart in "How Not To Explain Success."
They attempt to dispel the explanation of 2 Yale law professors Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfeld that various ethnic and religious minorities (e.g. Cubans, Jews, Indians, etc.) "had achieved disproportionate success in America" because of three things:
1) "A belief that their group was inherently superior to others"
2) "A sense of personal insecurity"
3) "A high degree of impulse control"
But Chabris and Hart claim this is falsehood and instead attribute the success to the people's innate higher intelligence and superior socioeconomic background.
In other words, Chabris and Hart would have us believe that the ethnic and religious minorities they speak of were somehow "born with a silver spoon in their mouths"-- which is complete NONSENSE.
While Chabris and Hart (of Union College) themselves claim vastly superior empirical evidence from their survey of a whopping 1,258 adults, they dismiss others' arguments such as Yale University professors, Chua and Rubenfeld, as mere "circumstantial evidence."
Well I and many of my family and friends that I grew up with must be part of that silly circumstantial evidence, called PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
You see, we are part of the generation of Holocaust Survivors and Children Of Holocaust Survivors, who came to America, as my grandmother said "without a chair to sit on" or a dime in their pockets.
My father worked long, hard hours in a factory eventually becoming its manager and he and my mom provided for our family. Both my parents lost most of their education due to the War and the need to "go out and earn a living."
Similarly, one of my best friends grew up also the child of survivors. His father came from the Holocaust and ended up working blue collar work as an electrician, eventually owning his business.
Neither family started with much--I ended up managing technology in some awesome agencies for the Federal government and my friend as an executive in the cruise industry.
Virtually, the entire generation of Jews who fled to America as refugees from the Holocaust came with nothing...yet the people and their children worked hard, very hard, and they were blessed, and become successful.
So, I have no surveys to back me up, but I do have my life and that of almost an entire generation of real life facts from people's lives--not made up of speculative survey questions and their interpretation of results.
So from my perspective, it is Chabris and Hart that are 100% WRONG!
You see they don't know from where we came and under what horrible conditions and how we arrived here as immigrants with nothing but our faith in G-d Almighty and the love of our families and community.
And for the record, Chua and Rubenfeld are right:
Point #1, we were clearly taught a sense of superiority--but not what people mistakenly think--it is not based on intelligence, looks, or on physical strength, but rather based on that we were Biblically expected to behave differently as Jews and live more stringently.
And that goes clearly to point #3, which is impulse control...the Jewish religion is based on 613 commandments--we are expected to eat a certain way, dress a certain way, keep Shabbat and holidays a certain way, raise a family a certain way...there is a huge amount of impulse control involved and in fact, not all of us are successful meeting all those stringent requirements--but it is a precondition upon which many of us grow up.
Finally, in terms of point #2--personal insecurity, I am not sure how much more insecure you can be when your people just got slaughtered in the Holocaust, the world's worst genocide ever known, and you are one of the survivors who has to rebuild--Yes, that is an incredible motivator!
If Chabris and Hart believe that we made it here based on pure intellect or positive socioeconomic factors--they are either complete idiots or sickly delusional.
While people's personal success is highly subjective for them, as a whole group though, I most certainly believe that G-d blessed the Jewish people after the horrors and unbelievable suffering of the Holocaust.
No level of intelligence or falsely perceived socioeconomics can explain what only G-d's infinite mercy can endow. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 31, 2016
613 Menu
And here it is again, on the menu for a simple Caesar Salad--depending on the size, it's $6 or $13.
I'm sorry but I don't need a statistician to tell me that the number of times and places for the revealing of 613--without even looking for it (seriously)--is extraordinary. indeed.
G-d has a message for us of hope and faith--613--I plan on listening. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 11, 2016
613 In Miniature
This time my daughter sent me this photo from this afternoon.
Do you see the 613 in the middle (I almost missed it)?
She actually saw this on a city bus--it was on the vertical cord you pull to request a stop--and it was tiny.
But there it was--calling us out to have absolute faith in the Almighty above.
As it happens, I saw another 613 this month--again out of nowhere.
I was talking to a colleague in the office.
He was wearing his badge--I think off to the side of his belt.
And when I looked down for a moment, the number of the badge was glaring out 613.
I thought for a second to take a photo, but this obviously wouldn't have been appropriate.
It's just too weird at this point...
613 everywhere...and we are all seeing it.
Mass psychosis, no.
Living in the time of the Messiah, hopefully.
Message to have faith, absolutely.
Please G-d, it should all be for the good.
Shabbat Shalom!
Note: If there are any Torah scholars out there that can help interrupt these 613 sightings--would greatly welcome your comments for blessings.
(Source Photo: Rebecca Blumenthal)
February 6, 2016
What does 600613 Spell?
Recently, Google paid an award to a former employee of $6,006.13.
The amount is special in two ways as you can see:
First of all, Google saw that, if you look closely, this number spells Google.
Secondly, it has the number mystical number 613 in it.
613 is a winner and so is Google, which is now the the most valuable company in the U.S. (worth more than Apple) at $554 billion!
If you use simple Gematria, where each letter is a number (A=1, B=2, C=3...Z=26), then Guess what other successful technology companies has the mystical 613 in their names:
(Also, see which amazing technology company has 613 twice in their name!)
In contrast, some ailing technology companies that do not have 613:
- Yahoo
613 is a reminder of G-d's benevolence to mankind in that he G-d us the commandments as a roadmap to live by. 613 is a symbol of faith in G-d almighty and in his holy Torah (Bible).
For those that keep His charge, we believe that Hashem will bless them and keep them.
Indeed, technology used for the good of mankind is a blessing to us all. ;-)
(Source Graphics: Andy and Dossy Blumenthal)
January 9, 2016
10 Commandments, 10 Plagues--What's The Connection?
-- Click on the image to read in large graphic --
___________________________________________________________
It occurred to me while listening to the Rabbi's speech at Magen David Synagogue today that there is nothing random in the Torah (Bible).
Since this weeks's Torah reading in Exodus was about the ten plagues in Egypt, I realized that this must be connected to the later ten commandments in a subsequent reading.
This table explains how the commandments to the Jews (and all mankind) and the plagues on the Egyptians are connected one for one.
(Source Table: Andy Blumenthal)
January 5, 2016
Warning 613
This morning, on the Washington, D.C. Metro, see the time showing (above upper right).
The whole family is seeing this, as I got a note from my daughter just a few minutes ago looking at online classes at Lynda.com and one of the classes had 613 views.
Even to me (normally a critical thinker and healthy skeptic), it seems beyond regular explanations for the frequency and locations that we are seeing these signs.
Also, last night I had a scary dream about what seemed like the end of times--it was almost like The Walking Dead, with people running to the countryside amidst chaos and destruction all around them.
As tensions heat up between major Sunni and Shiite rivals, Saudi Arabia and Iran, and "Axis of Evil" Iran unveils a 2nd underground depot with missiles capable of carrying nukes, and ISIS continues their jihadi rampage leaving 80% of Ramadi in Iraq destroyed at a cost of $10 billion, a new Jihadi John replacement is executing British hostages in Syria, and there are escalating superpower tussles with Russia and China--it is not hard to see just some of the potential dangers in our times in terms of escalating conflict, terrorism, and war.
What is the future for us all, I do not know for certain, but all I can tell you is there appears to be warnings all about, and the question is will we heed them or not and then what is the outcome--it should be with mercy and for blessings. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 2, 2016
Blessing Each Other
So Rabbi Haim Ovadia did something really creative and beautiful.
He had each of us turn to our neighbor and put our hands over each other's heads and recite the blessing from the Torah:
"May G-d bless and guide you.
May G-d shine his countenance on you and be gracious to you.
May G-d turn his countenance toward you and grant you peace."
The gesture of brotherhood and caring for each other was very, very nice, and I got to meet someone new in synagogue today.
People need people...and we need G-d.
Somehow it makes everything better. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 7, 2015
Don't Know When I'll See You Again
Apparently, he was one of the founders of the shule.
This grey headed, stooped man walks slowly forward carrying a small oxygen tank with wires dangling in his jacket and to his nose.
The man stands on the dais and says:
"I am 91-years old, and the doctor says I have this, that, and the other thing, and I am terminal.
It was very hard for me to get here today in my condition, but I wanted to speak with you all.
I have lived a good life, but not an easy life.
My life was a rollercoaster--at one time I had six cars and another time just one car, for the most part I had enough money, but never a lot of money.
Now, I ask myself what is really important.
When I have shortness of breath then nothing seems so important anymore--and it is the simple things that really count.
My son called the other day to tell me that he is being given more responsibility at work--not just his teaching responsibilities anymore--and he won't have time to call so often anymore.
So while I've studied and explored all facets of thinking from Shintoism and Buddhism to communism and socialism, in the end, I realized that I have the Torah and am a just simple Jew from Fez.
I wanted to be here with you today to ask you all for your forgiveness so that I can go on as I am very sick and am terminal.
I don't know when I will get to see you all again." ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 20, 2015
Look How Great Magen David Is
It is the symbol of the Jewish people and of Israel (it is center on the Israeli Flag, the Degel Yisrael), and dates back at least a 1,000 years.
Magen David Sephardic Congregation is also the name of our wonderful new synagogue in Maryland.
As the amazing picture above shows, the Magen David actually can represent every single letter (24) of the Hebrew alphabet.
As such, Magen David truly represents what a Jewish synagogue is and should be:
1) INCLUSIVE -- As every Hebrew letter is found in the Star of David, so too the synagogue is a place where every Jew, no matter Ashkenaz or Sephardic, Chasidim or Misnagdim, Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform--everyone is welcome and part of the greater family and community. The synagogue is a place we go to connect with our fellow Jews, where we respect and care for each other--our brothers and sisters, and where we Kibitz, laugh, and share of our selves and our heritage together.
2) HOLY -- The Magen David is holy as the religious symbol of the Jewish people and representing all the hebrew letters as in the Torah and the Ten Commandments. Some also believe in a Kabbalistic or mystical symbolism to the points of the star. Similarly, the synagogue is a place of holiness, and the Mikdash Me'at or small Temple (until the Holy Temple is rebuilt on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem). It is the place we go to sacrifice to G-d and a central place where we can do good deeds for our fellow man.
3) PRAYER AND LEARNING -- The Magen David represents the Jewish people, who are known as a people of the book. And the Magen David with all the Hebrew letters can represent all the Bible, prayer book, and wisdom of our sages. Prayer and learning is central to our faith and service to G-d. Similarly, the synagogue (and Yeshiva or Jewish school) is the center of our religion where we go daily and on Shabbat and holidays to Pray and learn Torah.
Magen David is an absolutely beautiful and meaningful symbol for who we are and what our synagogue ought to be. ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to eshevbooks)
April 11, 2015
Happy Chametz Time Again
Thank you to Congregation Magen David for a wonderful end of Passover party.
The family, new friends, music, singing, dancing, and food made for a truly joyous evening.
Happy and thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it.
Now counting up to Shavuot and the giving of the Torah.
The Jewish people rock! ;-)
(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)
December 31, 2013
Unjust Justice
"It's not your job to save the world. Do law, leave justice to Clint Eastwood."
What a notion he has--that it is not a judges job to mete out justice--how (oxy)moronic!
Instead, the judge says that is for vigilantes like Clint Eastwood's role in Dirty Harry (or perhaps Charles Bronson in Death Wish).
While I understand that the law is the law, you would think that a judge's role is to not only ensure that it is applied evenly, but also that it is meted out fairly.
As it says in the Torah/Bible (Deuteronomy 16:20), "Justice, Justice shall you pursue."
It is not enough for the "justice system" to enforce laws brainlessly, but the role of the judicial branch is to interrupt the law so that justice results.
What a contrast to even the bumbling inspector, Clouseau, in the movie, The Pink Panther, who knows "Yuri, the trainer who trains," but some of our judges don't seem to know that they are judges who sit in judgement.
So much for "jurisprudence"--but without any prudence!
Doing law, without pursuing justice is like dehydrated water in this picture--empty and good for nothing. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 22, 2013
Noah's Ark - Must See!
September 30, 2013
Saving Iraq's Jewish Scrolls
What a beautiful job by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
In Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, our Special Forces looking for WMD instead discoverd thousands of ancient Jewish texts.
The texts dating from 1540 to 1970 taken from the Iraqi Jewish Community were sitting defiled in the basement of Saddam Hussein's Intelligence HQS molding and decomposing under 4 feet of water.
The U.S. military and NARA rescued these texts and have painstakingly restored and preserved them through freezing, categorizing, condition assessment, stabilization, mold remediation, mending pages, washing, binding, and more.
Pictures of the collection of texts from Iraq before and after preservation can be found here.
The collection includes:
- A Hebrew Bible from 1568
- A Babylonian Talmud from 1793
- A Zohar/Kabbalah from 1815
- A Haggadah from 1902
- 48 Torah scroll fragments
- And much more.
On October 11, NARA will unveil an exhibit in Washington, DC featuring 24 of the recovered items and the preservation effort.
Hopefully, the collection of Jewish religious texts will ultimately be returned to the Jewish community from which it came, so that it can be held dear and sacred once again, and used properly in religious worship and never again held hostage or profaned.
Thank you so much to both the Department of Defense and to the National Archives for saving and preserving these ancient, sacred Jewish religious texts.
You did a beautiful mitzvah! ;-)
June 28, 2013
Ten Commandments - Good News, Bad News
When Moses was coming down from Har Sinai, he said to the people of Israel, "I have good news and bad news."
"The good news is I kept him down to ten."
"The bad news is adultery stays!"
Aside from the joke, the editorial posited why there are so many Jewish comedians--from Jackie Mason to Joan Rivers, and from Jack Benny to Jerry Seinfeld?
But maybe it should've asked, why do all the Jewish Comedians names seem to start with a J.
Thinking this through a little more, I realized so many other Jewish comedians out there--Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Billy Crystal, Chelsea Handler, Gene Wilder, George Burns, Jack Black, Larry Fine (from the Three Stooges), Mel Brooks, Rodney Dangerfield, Seth Rogen, The Marx Brothers, Woody Allen, and so many more.
So what is it that makes the Jewish people so funny?
Ms. Wisse, the author postulates that maybe it has to do with the dichotomy of the Jewish people being historically chosen to receive the Torah and hopefully serve as good examples of G-d's law and morality while at the same time "being targeted by some of the world's most determined aggressors"--Oy vey! and this list is even longer than that of the comedians!
So as Ms. Wisse points out, the Jewish people are on one hand "exalted" by G-d, but attacked by the wicked among nations.
I guess that would give just about anybody a severe complex--where do I find this one in the DSM?
Up, down, rewarded, punished, chosen, reviled--can make anyone's head spin--maybe that is why we wear Kippot (head coverings)--I was always taught it was to remember that G-d is above us and always watching and guiding us, but maybe it's also to help us keep our heads on straight with all the mixed messages we get in the world.
People mistake what "chosen" means--they think maybe Jews think they're better than others, but this is a mischaracterization.
I learned in Yeshiva--that chosen means we have a great burden to bear in fulfilling G-d commandments--when we do it well, things are good, but when we fail, we learn the hard way.
It's good to be Jewish--and it would be even better, if Jews accepted themselves and each other.
None of us are perfect--some of us are more imperfect than others.
But we are still brothers and sisters.
There is a Torah, but even the most righteous among us, don't do everything right--is anyone free from sin?
I always believed that religion is our guidepost, but as we are taught "every person is a world unto themselves" and that there is room for all of us to serve Hashem.
We each have to find the spark within and fulfill Hashem's destiny that he has for each of us--we all have what we can give and we should do it with a pure heart. ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Home Videos)
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