Turning AI Power Toward Human Purpose

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Turning AI Power Toward Human Purpose."

A lighthearted exchange between friends reveals a serious truth: modern leaders often debate endlessly yet craft only temporary, superficial solutions. The rise of artificial intelligence epitomizes this problem—technological advances enrich a privileged few while deepening inequality and eroding human purpose. Across the world, immense wealth coexists with staggering poverty, creating a dual system of justice and dignity divided by class. We need a moral awakening rooted in religious values of compassion and justice where we align progress with empathy and action to heal a fractured world.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Turning AI Power Toward Human Purpose

The Jewish Cure for Anxiety

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Jewish Cure for Anxiety."

Anxiety has become a constant backdrop in a world shaken by rapid technological change, economic strain, geopolitical threats, and deep social polarization, leaving many people echoing the fearful question, “What’s gonna be?”. Jacob in the Torah portion Vayishlach models a healthy response to fear through his “Triad of Response”: he prays, uses diplomacy, and prepares defensively, showing that true trust fuses faith with decisive action. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, despite immense personal suffering, teaches that worry is a spiritual poison and calls us instead to serenity grounded in prayer, gratitude, and confidence that nothing happens outside Divine will. Coelho’s The Alchemist echoes this wisdom through the seer’s insight that seeking to know the future only makes us suffer twice, urging us to embrace a “sacred alliance” of doing our part, trusting God, and focusing on appreciating today rather than surrendering our present joy to imagined tomorrows.

(AI generated image via Meta)

 

The Jewish Cure for Anxiety

The Powerful Legacy of Jewish Women

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Powerful Legacy of Jewish Women."

The Israeli women who suffered during the October 7 terrorist attacks faced unimaginable horrors—they were degraded, raped, murdered, mutilated, and forced to witness the brutal slaughter of their husbands and children, then tragically disbelieved by many. In sharp contrast, Sarah, our biblical foremother, whose son Isaac was spared during the binding, exemplifies unwavering faith and resilience amid hardship—qualities these women embody as they endure. The Torah portion Chayei Sarah teaches that true legacy arises from virtues like faith, kindness, service, rather than worldly achievements. Together, Sarah's enduring strength and the courage of the October 7 victims inspire us to cultivate lasting virtues that define a meaningful, resilient life beyond tragedy.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

The Powerful Legacy of Jewish Women

Profits, Prophets, and the AI Craze

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Profits, Prophets, and the AI Craze."

This article explores the extraordinary rise of AI and quantum technology stocks since the 2022 downturn, questioning whether this boom is driven by innovation or speculation. It notes that while some companies show real promise, many valuations far exceed fundamentals and future earnings potential. The article draws on Jewish wisdom to emphasize prudence, humility, and moral purpose amid market euphoria. Ultimately, it suggests that technology’s true value lies not just in profit but in its potential to advance humanity toward a more ethical and enlightened world.

(AI generated image via Meta)

Profits, Prophets, and the AI Craze

Seeing Morality Beyond the Hamas Propaganda

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Seeing Morality Beyond the Hamas Propaganda."

We must stand resolutely and with clarity against the moral confusion created by Hamas propaganda, which distorts reality by portraying jihadi terrorists as victims while democratic Israel endures relentless attacks—over 26,000 rockets, missiles, and drones since October 7, 2023, along with bombings, raids, and kidnappings. Against this backdrop, the Torah portion Re’eh reminds us of G-d’s timeless call to “see” clearly and choose between blessing and curse. Though justice is not always visible and the wicked may appear to prosper, the Torah urges us to look deeper, trust that true blessing follows righteousness, and recognize the dignity of free will. As Rosh Hashanah approaches, we are called to strengthen our faith, rise above doubt, and return to G-d with humility, courage, and hope.
(AI generated image via Gemini)

Seeing Morality Beyond the Hamas Propaganda

Humanity Beyond All Differences

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Humanity Beyond All Differences."

Last week, I came across an elderly man collapsed on the sidewalk—disoriented and in distress. With the help of a passing nurse and quick emergency response, he was rushed to the hospital. The experience reminded me that our shared humanity transcends race, faith, and background—we are all fragile, yet deserving of dignity and compassion. But compassion does not mean ignoring evil. True peace requires rejecting terror and protecting the innocent. Only by uniting with good people everywhere can we affirm life over death, dignity over hatred, and build a world that reflects the holiness of our Creator.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

 

Humanity Beyond All Differences

Echoes Across Realities: The Soul’s Journey

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Echoes Across Realities: The Soul's Journey."

The concept of multiple realities, embraced by both scientific theory and imaginative storytelling, proposes that countless alternate histories unfold from pivotal moments, each yielding distinct outcomes. Personal experiences, such as vivid and inexplicable dreams, invite us to consider the existence of parallel worlds and deeper spiritual dimensions where our souls may journey. These experiences underscore how our free will—our choices to act for good or evil—intertwines with billions of others in a complex tapestry of cause and effect that only G‑d can fully comprehend and graciously guide. Ultimately, our actions carry profound significance, influencing not only this reality but countless others, revealing that the truths shaping our lives and the universe are far more expansive than we may realize.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Echoes Across Realities: The Soul’s Journey

G-d is Everywhere

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

G-d is Everywhere

Kabbalah Meets the Dalai Lama

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Kabbalah Meets the Dalai Lama."

In 1990, a groundbreaking interfaith journey occurred when a group of rabbis traveled to Dharamsala, India, to engage in a historic dialogue with the Dalai Lama. This unprecedented meeting, later chronicled in Rodger Kamenetz’s acclaimed book The Jew in the Lotus, became a milestone in Jewish-Buddhist relations. The gathering explored profound questions of spiritual continuity, resilience, and the search for meaning across traditions.

(AI generated image via Meta)

Kabbalah Meets the Dalai Lama

Two Buddhas

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Two Buddhas

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

Mutual and Eternal Love

Please see my new poem in The Times of Israel called "Mutual and Eternal Love."

Like Abraham, we are tested to do "what is right and just," and history is our witness.

For "we are dust and will return to dust," but our souls will rise to heaven and be reunited with our everlasting, loving Father.

(Also, please remember to listen to the Jewish music video as you read the poetry.)

Mutual and Eternal Love

Saying It Straight

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Saying It Straight

In The Hands of Heaven

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "In The Hands of Heaven."

From Passover, we learn the Egyptians didn’t earn the riches, but built their wealth on the backs of the starving people of the world and of course that includes their Israelite slaves. As the Egyptians gloated on their arrogance, power and wealth, eventually the Master of the World showed them who is really boss. All the money, materialism, fancy titles, and honors are all just fleeting. In Hashem resides the glory and He has the say over who gets what and when.

G-d can redeem 600,000 men, women and children, and a large mixed multitude of people with them and very many flocks and cattle in the Exodus and to Him, it’s just another day on the throne of Heaven. In our own times, we have experienced a miraculous redemption from the death camps of Europe, and have returned like the Israelites to the Promised Land of Israel. G-d decides then and now what the plan is and how it unfolds, and everything we have is by G-d’s grace, and these are Seder lessons worthy of celebrating.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

In The Hands of Heaven

Buddha Happy

This was a great big Buddha by the cashier in the vegetarian restaurant. 

He is, so to say, "fat and happy" (come on you can't miss that belly)!

I think that's the message the eatery is trying to get across. 

The only problem is that fat does not make happy; it just makes you want to lose weight. 

Then again, no really hungry person was ever that happy either.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Buddha Happy

Mastering Cheerfulness

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Mastering Cheerfulness." 

During Covid-19, it is easy to get down about all the people getting sick (many dying) and for the rest of us the intense feelings of isolation. However, during this time (and particularly this week of Thanksgiving), I am learning the importance of staying positive and appreciating all G-d’s blessings that we do have. More broadly, I am coming to understand that inside a person, G-d exists amidst love, kindness and cheerfulness: these are elements that nourish the flame of our soul and wherein G-d happily coexists with us. It makes a lot of sense that when we are angry, jealous, or sad, the holy Shechinah (presence of G-d) cannot fully reside inside us. Because G-d Himself is gracious, kind, and loving and created us from this, so His spirit within us (our soul) flourishes amidst these feelings, but diminishes within us like a flame without oxygen when we distance ourselves emotionally and spiritually.

Just like one candlelight extinguishes the darkness around it, so also the light that we nurture within ourselves can extinguish the darkness that we occasionally feel inside.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Mastering Cheerfulness

Modeh Ani - Thank you G-d

Beautiful song after the prayer, Modeh Ani that Jews say every morning immediately when we wake up. 

I give thanks to You, living and eternal King for you have restored my soul within me with mercy; Your faithfulness is great.

Thank you G-d for everything you do for us.

Your mercy endures forever!  

As Sholom Aleichem say: we should not know the taste of hunger.  ;-)

(Credit Video: Omer Adam עומר אדם)

Modeh Ani - Thank you G-d

From Creation to the End of Times

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "From Creation to the End of Times."
 

As Jews, we travel through history to our destiny along an arc of birth, growth, decline and the learning from our mistakes, to ultimately the fulfillment of our divine mission for world enlightenment. Jewish history can be broken down in a couple of amazing ways: first by every two millennium from creation forward, and second, starting with Abraham, in 400-500 year increments.

We have an incredible history that takes us along a clear trajectory from our founding of monotheism and special relationship with G-d as His "chosen" in the receiving the Torah and its transmission, to our many weaknesses and failures in going astray from our mission, and ultimately to our redemption and achievement of G-d's purpose for us in bringing his teachings and glory to all the world.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

From Creation to the End of Times

Beautiful Japanese Pagoda

Japanese pagoda signifying the elements of earth, air/sky, fire and water.

Beautiful integration of stone into natural surroundings. 

Centered, self-reflection, mindfulness, enlightenment, peace. 

You can see this at Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden in Delray Beach, Florida. 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Beautiful Japanese Pagoda

Rope Light

This rope light is sort of frightening. 

Looks like a noose and it's hanging from the ceiling. 

I don't think this light is too enlightened!  

There are no ropes needed.

We need to cast light not darkness in this world. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Rope Light