Fear G-d

(Credit Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)

Fear G-d

The 250th Hostage: A Divine Homecoming

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The 250th Hostage: A Divine Homecoming."

After 843 days in captivity, the recovery from Gaza of the last hostage, Ran Gvili—a hero who fought through pain to save a hundred souls—is a breathtaking modern miracle that echoes the sacred moment Moses carried Joseph’s bones toward the Promised Land. This homecoming reveals the profound power of Ezem, the Hebrew "essence" within the bone, proving that for the Jewish people, the remains of the righteous are not mere dust but a foundational spark awaiting the glory of resurrection. Through the divine "fingerprint" of Gematria and Ran’s miraculous return, we see the Almighty’s hand actively weaving the fabric of our redemption. It is a stirring herald of the coming dawn, where the dry bones of our history are reclothed in sovereignty and the light of the Third Temple finally pierces the darkness.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

The 250th Hostage: A Divine Homecoming

Amazing Video: The War of Good Over Evil

G-d is with Israel! 

Amazing Video: The War of Good Over Evil

Don't Hate

Don't Hate

G-d is with Israel!

G-d is with Israel!

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

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

Rachel's Cry: Empathy's Thanksgiving Lesson

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Rachel's Cry: Empathy's Thanksgiving Lesson."

Thanksgiving aligns seamlessly with Judaism's emphasis on gratitude to G-d and loved ones. In Parashat Vayetze, Rachel's desperate plea for children meets Jacob's angry rebuke, highlighting a failure of empathy over defensiveness. True thanks requires piercing beyond words to embrace others' inner pain, countering our self-focused tendencies with compassionate listening. Like our foreparents, we can elevate relationships through generous kindness, fulfilling love's essence this holiday.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Rachel's Cry: Empathy's Thanksgiving Lesson

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

From the Binding of Isaac to October 7

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "From The Binding of Isaac to October 7."

The story of Abraham and Isaac reveals how fragile life can be, yet also how faith transforms fear into purpose. For centuries, from Egypt to the Holocaust to October 7, the Jewish people have faced the knife at their throat, believing that G-d would not abandon them. Time and again, His hand has guided us from despair to renewal, from persecution to promise. When we live with righteousness and steadfast faith, the knife meant to destroy us turns instead upon the ram caught in the thicket of evil.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

From the Binding of Isaac to October 7

When a Jew is Torn Between Freedom and Family

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "When a Jew is Torn Between Freedom and Family."

Shulem Deen’s All Who Go Do Not Return is a powerful memoir chronicling his escape from the insular Skverer Hasidic community. Deen’s world was shaped by strict prohibition of secular influences, arranged marriage, and demand for total conformity, enforced by harsh punishments and social control. After being cast out for his growing doubts, Deen lost his family, faith, and community, and struggled through loneliness and depression. His story is both a lament for what was lost and a testament to the steep, lasting price of freedom, raising profound questions about the cost of authenticity and the challenge of losing everything. 

(AI generated image via Meta)

When a Jew is Torn Between Freedom and Family

Bibi Was Right All Along

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Bibi Was Right All Along."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was right all along in his steadfast leadership during the complex and perilous Gaza conflict, maintaining clear strategic objectives despite criticism. His vision to bring hostages home, demilitarize Gaza, and eradicate Hamas ensured that terror would not dictate the region's future. After over two years of war and sacrifice, including the loss of nearly 1,200 IDF soldiers, a ceasefire has been achieved and the release of hostages is set to begin imminently. The successful peace plan, strongly supported by President Donald Trump’s diplomacy, marks a profound moment of joy and unity for Israel and the Jewish people worldwide, confirming the wisdom of Netanyahu’s approach.

(AI generated image via Meta)

Bibi Was Right All Along

There is Hope

(Credit Photo Andy Blumenthal)

There is Hope

From The River to the Sea, That's the Beautiful Holy Flag You Will See

From The River to the Sea, That's the Beautiful Holy Flag You Will See

Stop Worrying; Trust G-d

Stop Worrying; Trust G-d

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

Tisha B’Av: Will the Darkness Ever End?

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Tisha B'Av: Will the Darkness Ever End."

Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, is the most solemn day of Jewish mourning, commemorating a series of tragic historical events—including the destruction of the First and Second Temples and other calamities—that symbolize both profound physical loss and spiritual rupture. Despite this darkness, tradition holds hope through the promise of the Mashiach’s birth on this day and the eventual rebuilding of the Temple. Recent tragedies like the October 7, 2023 attack and rising global antisemitism remind us of ongoing challenges, but faith, kindness, and prayer sustain the Jewish people, empowering them to be active participants in redemption. Miracles continue to unfold with the return to sovereignty in Israel, and the day will one day transform from mourning into celebration.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Tisha B’Av: Will the Darkness Ever End?

Dancing Chassidim

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Dancing Chassidim

Am Yisrael Chai!

Am Yisrael Chai!

Blessings

Blessings