The Power of Giving to Overcome Abuse

Please see my new article in The Time of Israel called "The Power of Giving to Overcome Abuse."

We can't outsmart G-d, and we can't take what isn't rightfully ours. In effect, the charity we must give, already belongs to G-d, and we can't keep it or invest it, because at the end of the day, G-d will have what is His. And with this realization, lying back down in bed, I sung the words from Proverbs many times to myself and smiled, thanking G-d for my children who teach their parents and for G-d enabling me to learn new lessons for my soul and how the blessings from G-d are ultimately realized.

In short, while sexual molesters (i.e. monsters) steal from the bodies of their victims and inflicts devastating harm to them physically, mentally, and emotionally, in stark contract are those who give charitably to others, giving of themselves in order to make others that are in need whole again in body, mind, and soul.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Power of Giving to Overcome Abuse

Love Mushrooms

Love love mushrooms!

Especially fried up, crispy, and sweet. 

They make everything else taste better.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Love Mushrooms

Oriental Flair

I liked the oriental flair of this decor.

The vases, plants, and bonsai (even fake) were nice. 

Appreciated the symmetry as well which makes it hang all together. 

Relaxing and charming.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Oriental Flair

Lipstick On A Chair

This is what happens when you get lipstick on a chair.

What a great place to get your makeup done!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Lipstick On A Chair

That's Spicy

How many of these do you cook with (do you have a favorite)?

• Garlic Powder
• Turmeric
• Parsley
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Black Pepper

Some are full and some are nearly empty. 

Time to reorder (hope they're not backlogged at the port).  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

That's Spicy

Most Popular Grocery Item

Okay and for the $1,000,000 fantasy prize, what do you think is the most popular product at this supermarket?  ;-)

(This is obviously not a real contest or prize!)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Most Popular Grocery Item

Finding Our Religion

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Finding Our Religion."

The contrast between me being Jewish and the environment that was as broad as the United Nations (actually only a few blocks away), helped me to find myself and to build my personal Jewish identity. So, I think that for those Jews that are afraid for their children to leave the confines of the home, their “shtetl” neighborhood, and the local yeshiva, because they are afraid of the “foreign” (goyish) influences, I think that while that may be right for some Jews possibly, it is definitely not right for all of us.

In a sense, the redemption of the Jewish people and exodus was so much greater a miracle by Moshe becoming this great Jewish leader from within the fires of the Egyptian paganism at the time. Moshe’s rejectionism of Egyptian power and culture used for evil to enslave and hurt others was a powerful choice of good over evil and a message to Pharaoh and his household that despite all his wealth, strength, and influence, that Pharaoh and Egypt would fall before the hand of the true, Almighty G-d of Israel. Similarly, I think the message for us is that the final redemption for us and the world will come initially from “galut” (outside of Israel) from the cauldron of “Edom” (the Roman Empire and Western civilization) and all the materialist and pleasurable freedoms and allures thereof.

(Credit Painting: Dossy Blumenthal)

Finding Our Religion

Kosher Chinese Food on Christmas

 

Favorite Jewish pass time on Christmas...

Chinese food. 

Why?

Because everything else is closed. 

And we get some good food satisfaction for the holidays!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy blumenthal)

Kosher Chinese Food on Christmas

Tinker at the Mall

I guess if you go shopping in the mall right before the holidays, you're sure to run into some zany characters. 

This guy, Tinker, did a little dance and gave the elf thumbs up. 

I wonder if all this was to communicate to us that we need to spend more money and buy more things (we don't need) for the holidays?  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Tinker at the Mall

Dog Riding On Luggage

This little service dog was hilarious. 

He stood, the whole time, on this lady's carry-on luggage as she rolled through the airport. 

Dog was happy with its tongue out and ears perched up as he was riding along to his/her flight. 

I wonder if people could stand on their luggage too and get through the airport quicker that way!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Dog Riding On Luggage

Skull Bags

Handbags in the shape of human skulls. 

Is that your dead sexy best?

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Skull Bags

A ‘Riblicious’ Meal at Izzy’s

Please see my new Restaurant Review in The Times of Israel called "A 'Riblicious' Meal at Izzy's."

Izzy’s Brooklyn Smokehouse Kosher BBQ now has a location in Miami, Florida. My wife, Dossy, loves ribs, so she “made sure” that we got to try this restaurant while on vacation here in Florida. Of course, she ordered her favorite BBQ Back Ribs as their menu says: “finished over our woodshow grill and covered in our BBQ sauce.”

We ordered the ribs for my wife and she was in seventh heaven just waiting for them to come. There was no bread or appetizer put on the table and when the ribs came they were just that, ribs covered in thick brown BBQ sauce with a sprinkling of pickles and purple cabbage on the side and a cup of ketchup. There was no doubt that this meal was all about the ribs and that virtually nothing else mattered. Looking at my wife’s happy face, I can almost forgive them for the various service snafus.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

A ‘Riblicious’ Meal at Izzy’s

@Miami Botanical Gardens

(Credit Videos: Andy Blumenthal)
 

@Miami Botanical Gardens

The Surprising Secret To Becoming Your Best

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Surprising Secret To Becoming Your Best."

Even while we are each different and should become our best selves, we still all need to make sure we are driving towards good healthy goals.

There is no one-size-fits-all mold for us. Hashem has a destiny in mind for each of us, and we need to find out what that is and work to become it. As parents, we need to see our children for who they are and not who we may want them to be. Truly, it’s a blessing to be able to be ourselves! As long as we and they are doing good in the world and by our Creator, we are each and everyone on solid Jewish ground.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Surprising Secret To Becoming Your Best

$$$Yachting Mean Some Big Dough$$$

Big yachts usually mean big mansions too, and that is certainly true here in Florida.

Often it means multiple mansions across states or even in different countries.

In one case, we saw two mansions demolished to build an even bigger single mansion in their place. 

All the while others are going homeless and are having difficulty making ends meet. 

The last boat isn't a yacht per se, but I like the ocean blue color!

(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

$$$Yachting Mean Some Big Dough$$$

Hollywood Beach and Boardwalk - City Walk

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Hollywood Beach and Boardwalk - City Walk

Shake It Up

This bartender knows how to shake things up! 

She can do one drink or two at a time! ;-)

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Shake It Up

When Branding is the Bomb

Putting your company name or logo on a grenade. 

Does that make you the bomb?

I guess it could mean that you're exploding with energy, creativity, quality, coolness, market share, revenue, profits, or more. 

Maybe it's a warning to your competitors to stay clear or they will suffer the explosive consequences.

Another reading is that your company is in trouble and is about explode, fragment, and leave a trail of dead bodies in its wake. 

If you love your brand, instead of a T-shirt with their logo next time, maybe you'll consider splurging for their very own branded grenade.

You can display it, throw it, or sit on it and hope for the best the brand has to offer. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

When Branding is the Bomb

Beautiful Fresh Fruit Cups

Overflowing cups of fresh fruit.

Colorful and appetizing. 

Amazing natural foods that G-d has given us.

I don't think any metaverse can even come close.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Beautiful Fresh Fruit Cups

Short of Closet Space

So what do you do if you are short of closet space or if your wife throws you out of the house?

Of course, you hang your clothing on a tree!

Calvin Klein shirts too. 

I wonder what happens when the squirrels come out.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Short of Closet Space

Dancing on the Head of a Pin

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Dancing on the Head of a Pin."

We’re all different, and we all have something to say and contribute to solve life’s challenges. While some of us may think that they are better than others, the reality is that we are all human, fallible, and subject to life’s circumstance and G-d’s mighty hand. However, too often, we let ego get in the way, and instead of taking on the huge, almost insurmountable challenges that we face, we end up fighting about who’s in charge and who gets the credit.

As we face the daunting challenges confronting America, Israel, and the world, we need effective “servant-leaders,” who are guided by a genuine moral compass and faith in G-d to take well-reasoned actions and not to punt the problems down the political road. Real leadership means leaving your ego at the door; it means self-sacrifice, compassion, creative thinking, and bold problem-solving. Big challenges can be dealt with, but we’ve got to have the right measure of ourselves, strength of character, and unity of purpose to finally overcome them.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Dancing on the Head of a Pin

Happy Shabbat!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Happy Shabbat!

Luv Is The Answer

Luv is cool. 

It's the answer. 

What's the question?

(Credit Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)

Luv Is The Answer