Chabad Under Fire: History's Old Script

 

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Chabad Under Fire: History's Old Script."

A baseless online conspiracy accuses Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis—devoted emissaries of kindness—of secretly orchestrating attacks in Iran to rebuild the Third Temple. This smear revives ancient antisemitic patterns, from medieval blood libels and Black Death pogroms to the Dreyfus Affair's forged treason and Protocols of the Elders of Zion's global fraud. Modern examples like 9/11, USS Liberty, and COVID theories follow the same script, repeatedly debunked by official investigations including the 9/11 Commission and US government statements rejecting Gaza "genocide" claims. While platforms amplify these scapegoating narratives, Judaism's response—through Chabad's mitzvot, tikkun olam, and exemplary lives—offers light against darkness, proving truth triumphs over recycled hatred.

(AI generated image via Grok)

Chabad Under Fire: History's Old Script

Journeys of Faith in an Uber Ride

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Journeys of Faith in an Uber Ride."

After attending a Hanukkah celebration, the author meets an Uber driver who, though long disconnected from Jewish life, still feels a deep love for her heritage. Her story reflects the quiet struggle of assimilation and the enduring spark of Jewish identity in the diaspora. Soon after, an antisemitic act in Kew Gardens—where a menorah was torn from a car and desecrated—underscores the persistence of hatred against Jews. Together, these moments reveal both the inner and outer challenges facing the Jewish people and affirm the need to keep the light of faith and knowledge burning brightly.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Journeys of Faith in an Uber Ride

Twelve viciously murdered by terrorist gunmen at Hanukkah Lighting in Australia

May G-d have mercy and grant us the courage and strength for good to win out over evil! 🇮🇱 🇺🇸

Twelve viciously murdered by terrorist gunmen at Hanukkah Lighting in Australia

Stop Worrying; Trust G-d

Stop Worrying; Trust G-d

Missing The Rebbe

Missing The Rebbe

From Destruction to Rebirth

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "From Destruction to Rebirth."

As the Jewish people, we have routinely known destruction and rebirth. It is hardcoded into our Jewish DNA that when we sin, we incur (G-d forbid) His punishment, and when we find our way back to Hashem and do teshuvah then we are blessed with His merciful redemption.

This Passover, let us recommit to doing good in this world and in helping to move all our people from the Diaspora to "Next Year in Jerusalem" and the speedy rebuilding of the Holy Temple. Oh G-d, please complete our final redemption and let it be!

(AI generated image via Gemini)

 

From Destruction to Rebirth

Passover with Chabad

Passover with Chabad

No Jew Left Behind

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "No Jew Left Behind."

Rabbi Kaplan spoke of how Rabbi Zvi Kogan, now in heaven, surely continues his good work and intercedes on behalf of all of us, especially the hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas. He compared Kogan to the Sassover Rebbe, known for redeeming thousands of Jewish captives in the 1700s. Upon the Sassover Rebbe’s death, it is said he continued redeeming souls in the afterlife, even negotiating the release of souls from hell.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

No Jew Left Behind

Sukkot, I Will Miss You

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Sukkot, I Will Miss You."

A few things happened so far this Sukkot that brought to my mind and heart the human element of the holiday period. The focus is often on the sukkah, but we also need to remember the community and connection of the people who are in the sukkah together.

(AI generated image via Designer)

Sukkot, I Will Miss You

Flamingo Near Shul

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Flamingo Near Shul

Rebbe

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Rebbe

The Rebbe Knew

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Rebbe Knew."

This year at Passover seder, I had the privilege to sit next to an elderly Jewish lady, whom I’ll call Esther. We sat together at a Chabad seder, and on the wall next to us was a beautiful painting of the Rebbe.

My wife and I were spellbound by his lifelike holy image, especially his knowing, piercing blue eyes. In fact, we joked that it would be funny if the eyes started to move back and forth in the painting. Esther, who was sitting directly next to me, overheard us and proceeded to tell me some amazing stories about the Rebbe, which I am pleased to be able to share with all of you.

(AI generated image via Designer)

The Rebbe Knew

Looking Beyond the Superficial

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Looking Beyond the Superficial."

We are all much more than our physical manifestations in this world, and looks can definitely be deceiving. The most important thing in dealing with ourselves and others is to look beyond the superficial and see each person for who they really are, and G-d’s holy spirit has an outsized role in realizing the potential of who we can be.

(Credit Photo: Activedia via https://pixabay.com/photos/spiritualism-awakening-meditation-4552237/)

Looking Beyond the Superficial

In Honor of Israel: Put on Tefillin Today!

Nice job Chabad! 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

In Honor of Israel: Put on Tefillin Today!

Lessons From Chabad in Humility This Passover

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Lessons From Chabad in Humility This Passover."

If we can remove the arrogance from our homes and hearts, then we can be better people: humble, selfless, giving, and standing side by side rather than sitting high and mighty, which only G-d Almighty deserves.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Lessons From Chabad in Humility This Passover

Happy Purim @Chabad

https://youtube.com/shorts/NRkY94d3CSU?feature=share

(Credit Photo by Andy Blumenthal and Music by Minna Blumenthal)

Happy Purim @Chabad

Make Your Life a Sanctuary for G-d

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Make Your Life a Sanctuary for G-d."

In short, everything we do in life should be great, but not for our greatness. Everything that we do should be done with passion and determination, but not for our sakes. We are only here by the loving grace of G-d and for as long as He wills it. In our time here, we need to act in a way that means something beyond our finite, selfish mortal selves and instead be selfless for the purpose of our Creator.

If you lived your life for G-d, for good, and for a greater purpose, then your inner spiritual legacy will live on beyond your years and even your name. If you build a sanctuary for G-d, it will have holiness and permanence not only in this world but, more importantly, in the next.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Make Your Life a Sanctuary for G-d

Pop Culture Just Doesn't "Get" Us

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Pop Culture Just Doesn't 'Get' Us."

Of course, when Jews are hypocrites, act holier than thou, or do bad things, they give the rest of us a bad name, and this can breed not only confusion about Jews but also, in the extreme, hate and anti-Semitism. One Chabad Rabbi said today that the Rebbe hardly ever used the word anti-Semitism or spoke of it; instead, he focused on the idea that Jews should do good and perform acts of G-dliness and righteousness in the world.

I believe we can all agree that Jews behave differently; sometimes they do good, sometimes they don't, but regardless, we're a little bit of a mystery to many non-Jews, which is sometimes shrouded in a large dose of fiction and conspiracy. For many, I put it this way: they still can't understand why the fiddler was ever playing on the roof to begin with.

(Credit Photo: ericbarns via https://pixabay.com/photos/dancing-clubbing-dancers-nightclub-206740/)

Pop Culture Just Doesn't "Get" Us

Waffle On Over This Hanukkah

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Waffle On Over This Hanukkah."

If you love fresh waffles and you love chicken and beef, you’ll love Mordy Menkes and his new South Florida kosher food truck business called Wild Flour Waffles.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Waffle On Over This Hanukkah

Giving the World a Hand

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Giving the World a Helping Hand."

While we ourselves can do positive things to learn and grow as individuals, it’s a bigger and greater mitzvah when it’s shared with others! Just like Joseph, who rose above being a slave and prisoner to save the world, we can all rise above ourselves and our life predicaments to do good that spreads far and wide, perhaps even beyond our wildest imagination.

(Source Photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-world-map-global-earth-600497/)

Giving the World a Hand