Make Your Life a Sanctuary for G-d
Hanukkah Is About Fortifying the Family
This book is about finding and connecting with G-d. As the prophet Jeremiah states (29:13), "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." This is my personal journey back to G-d and Judaism. It provides my life reflections, dreams, prayers, and hopes to strengthen my faith and trust in G-d by exploring a variety of the precious gems of Judaism and the Torah, reflecting on the diversity and strength of our people and culture, and longing for our nation and beautiful State of Israel and the completion of the final Redemption and bringing of the Mashiach. Please G-d, may it serve as inspiration for your journey as well.
Announcing My First Book: On Judaism and Life
Civilizations’ notion of a perfect world comes not from classical Greek and Roman society — where art, architecture, beauty, government, philosophy, and empirical science emanated — but rather directly through Judaism (i.e., from Hashem).One one hand, you have Greece and Rome with polytheism and paganism, where gods are in the image of man, beauty is holy, and morality is subjective and malleable. On the other hand, we have Judaism’s clear declaration of monotheism (with one omnipotent, benevolent, eternal, and invisible G-d), where man was created in the image of G-d, the holy is beautiful, and morality is objective and unchangeable. At the end of the day, there is no contest: G-d’s Torah, as transmitted through the Jewish people, is the absolute and enduring “light unto the nations” towards the perfect world.
From Judaism with love
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Sprinkling of Jewish Wit and Wisdom."
Sprinkling of Jewish Wit and Wisdom
Kayaking @Lake Needwood
So much to be grateful for to G-d Almighty
Thank you for another week! ;-)
Spring Flowers for Shabbat
Aside from the lavish and colorful playground, they had a trampoline, petting zoo, and BBQ for Lag B'Omer.
This was Torah Turtle (my name for him) at the event.
What an amazing shell and such a cool animal.
Turtles are a definite favorite! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Awesome Torah Turtle
Because I don't eat gluten, my son-in-law made me eggs as the bun for the burgers!
Healthy, good-looking, and delicious eating.
Also, had some tasty spicy mayo to top it off.
Thank you for the beautiful, festive holiday meal. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Delicious Purim Seudah
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Beautiful Shabbat Flowers
When it comes to strangers, it’s almost easier to put on a face, act all proper, and do what’s right because they aren’t our family, thus Avraham could run to help the strangers. Yet, when it comes to our own families, we don’t feel it necessary to keep up pretenses. We sometimes say and do things to family that we would likely never say to or do in front of strangers, like Avraham telling Hagar and Ishmael to get out! We may even betray and hurt the ones we love, like when Avraham said Sarah was his sister putting her at jeopardy with Avimelekh. Further, we “sacrifice” our children and spouses by putting our work (sometimes 24/7), social media, and our own brand and needs first, and don’t adequately pay attention to what’s really going on with our families, their needs, aspirations, and troubles; for example, Avraham was going to sacrifice Isaac, his and Sarah’s only child and “the son of her old age.” We take for granted and even advantage of our families, because we can. And some at the further bad end of the spectrum, “go home and kick the dog!” Yes, the pictures that everyone posts on Facebook and Instagram are what people want you to see and think about them (their personal brand): that everything’s all rosy and they have the perfect lives and families, but I venture to guess that often, it’s far from the reality of what goes on “behind closed doors.”All of us need to pay attention and do what’s right not only when we want to look good in front of others, but knowing that even in our own homes, G-d is watching what we do and how we treat each other.
Love Your Family As The Stranger
If the husband and wife—with Hashem’s help as the third partner—create a peaceful, loving, caring, and harmonious home then they can have the likes of Shabbat all week long.I realized why we say the blessing for the food before we eat and bless G-d for the land after we eat: before we eat, we don’t know how it will taste or whether it will sit well with us in our stomachs, but we imagine when we are hungry that all the good-looking food and drink will be great and so we bless G-d based on the perception of the coming food. However, after we eat, we make the blessing for the source of the food (the land, the food chain, and over wives for preparing it) for the sake of Shalom Bayit, because whether the meal was so good or not so good, we say thanks to Hashem and to our wives, because that contributes to Shabbat and peace in the home, always!
Peace In The Home, Always
Be 💗 Kind
What kind?
The kind that has compassion on others, cares and love them, and does what's right.
That's really the only kind worth being! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Remember To Always Be Kind
The great outdoors with the family.
Hiking and sitting by the water just taking a relaxing breather.
(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
@Lake Needwood July 4
Some toys are classic; I think every kid over the last 50 years has had one like this.
Love how colorful and happy they make these kid's toys with the up again, down again animals in a pop box.
Monkey, lion, pig, and elephant.
Hey, I'm remembering that I'm just a kid at heart too! :-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Pop-Up Toy Fun
Nice stroll around the lake with the family.
A little humidity towards the end turned us back to the parking lot.
But overall, good times for Sunday funday! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
@Lake Frank in Summer
My son-in-law, Itzchak, made these for Memorial Day this past week.
OMG, they were soooo good! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Rebecca)
Hot Dogs With All The Toppings
