Showing posts with label Holy Land. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holy Land. Show all posts
October 12, 2023
September 13, 2022
Announcing my Second Book: For the Love of Israel
With gratitude to Hashem, I am announcing my second published book, For the Love of Israel.
It is available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and hardcopy.
Book description:
This book is about the incredible Jewish homeland of Israel. As the prophet Isaiah states (11:12), "He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth." This work is a reflection of my deep love and yearning for our Promised Land. This book is anchored in G-d's Biblical promise to the Jewish people for this amazing land, the decades of persecution culminating in the Holocaust that the Jews have endured, our miraculous national resurrection and return, the blossoming of the deserts and metamorphosis into a scientific, technological and military world power, and the hope and prayer for all us to be able to make Aliyah and for the completion of the Redemption and the coming of the Mashiach.
I hope you enjoy!
Andy
June 27, 2022
Nice Vase
May 16, 2021
February 10, 2020
Israel 2020: Day 1
Every time we come, we can literally see how the country has matured and built up even more since just the short time before.
Of course, we arrived with a little jet lag but still managed to take a nice walk around the bustling streets of Tel Aviv.
The restaurants, cafes, shops, theaters, and culture here is awesome.
I guess the toughest thing is deciding what we want to do each day, but that is all part of the adventure.
See you tomorrow! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 23, 2019
MERKAVA IV TANK
April 11, 2019
Israel 4th Nation To Reach the Moon Surface - Mazel Tov!
What an unbelievable achievement for Israel.
Even without a soft landing, Israel is the 4th country in the world to reach the moon surface.
The Moon Club of Just Four:
USA - The Most Powerful
Russia - The Largest by Landmass
China - The Largest by Number of People
Israel - The Holy Land!
Mazel Tov on this truly great accomplishment.
We are all so proud of you! ;-)
April 10, 2019
Cats of Israel
There are so many cats just roaming the streets, shops, gardens, and alleyways.
These don't run from people, but are part of the landscape itself.
Almost like a soul in each one that is living a peaceful life anew in the Holy Land. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 14, 2018
Dreaming of Zion
To flourish in the land of milk and honey.Hope you enjoy and we can all one day live the dream! ;-)
To celebrate the Shabbat and holidays as in the days of old.
To revere the bravery and heroism of the defenders of Israel.
To live and worship as a Jew without discrimination, racism, and hatred.
To fulfill the promise of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 12, 2018
Aliyah: To Go Up
"As Jewish people yet around the globe plan for their futures, they need to consider carefully “the place that G-d has chosen” and where they and their families will be at the fateful conclusion of the Redemption and the arrival of Mashiach. Perhaps, while the road to Jerusalem requires our dedication and hard work, the choice is not that difficult as the Land of Israel flourishes and the people of Israel yet lives–Eretz and Am Israel Chai!"
Hope you enjoy. ;-)
(Source Photo: Rebecca Ochayon)
July 22, 2018
Monopoly Yerushalmi
The properties of obviously from famous places in the Holy City of Jerusalem, such as The Kenneset, Mount Olives, Mount Herzl, Hebrew University, Montefiore Windmill, Mahane Yehuda Market, The Biblical Zoo, The Israel Museum, Tower of David, and of course, The Western Wall, and more.
The cards are in both Hebrew and English so I can continue to improve my Hebrew language skills.
I think this is a perfect topic to be thinking about today, which is Tisha B'Av (the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av).
This is a perfect Shabbat game for after Shul and Kiddish, and I am looking forward to the family sitting down to play Monopoly Jerusalem style.
I want to also note that Jerusalem along with the Holy Temple (may it be rebuilt speedily in our day) is a perfect topic to be thinking about today, because this is the day on the Hebrew calendar when the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in both 586 BCE by the Babylonians as well as in 70 CE by the Romans after they had laid siege to the city--the exact same day of the calendar year over 650 years apart--and so this is a day of commemoration, mourning, and introspection for the Jewish people. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 21, 2018
Happy 70th Birthday to Israel
Prayers, blessings, song, waving flags, and a lovely Kiddish feast following services.
Immediately after the genocidal Holocaust that exterminated six million Jews - 1 out of every 3 in the entire world - the modern State of Israel was founded in 1948.
With thriving cities, arts and culture, flourishing farming, science and innovation, Holy religious sites, a rich history everywhere, and a formidable military.
There is so much to be proud of and to thank G-d for.
Oh G-d, we praise you in that you have returned your children to Zion as you promised from Biblical times and breathed fresh life into their dry bones.
Only you can revive an entire people and a land.
Only you can create a blooming Garden of Eden from barren desert.
Only you can make a strong and just a nation from one that once was carted away of crowded train cars to the death camps and crematoria
Throughout 2,000 years of exile, we remembered your promise and we prayed for redemption, and you showered your gracious mercy on us and brought us back on wings of eagles.
For 70 years now, nations have risen up against Israel to try to destroy it, but only you have saved it through the brave arms of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
Praise to G-d Almighty. Praise be to G-d in Heaven and on Earth. Praise be the creator and sustainer.
We honor you through keeping your Holy Torah commandments and remembering that you Hashem, are our G-d and you are One.
It is our job to live a life of integrity, to do good whatever we do and wherever we go, as your children and as a light along with America unto the other nations.
As we sang in the Holocaust, "I believe with a full faith in the coming of the Messiah, and thou he tarries, I will never-the-less wait."
The waiting was over 70-years ago, and we are living in the age of redemption.
Miracles abound and the world progresses scientifically and technologically and with a spirit of doing good and justice.
The nation of Israel lives!
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 18, 2018
January 31, 2018
Birthday of Trees
That is the Birthday for (fruit) Trees!
It's when Jewish people celebrate and plant trees around the world and especially in the Holy Land.
Last night, we celebrated with Chabad Israeli Center of Rockville where they had not only of the "7 Fruits" of Israel (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates), but they also had some very nice wine and cheese, delicious bourekas, and pastries.
We learned about the biblical meaning of the "7 Species of Fruits" and the flourishing of the land of Israel, celebrated with music and song, and played a trivia game with our smartphones using a cool new gaming and learning application, called Kahoot.
A special thank you to Chabad Rabbi Shlomo Beitsh and to Samy Ymar for sponsoring the event.
Overall, a beautiful evening to meet new people and celebrate a very happy birthday to the beautiful trees and mother nature that G-d has so benevolently bestowed on us. ;-)
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
January 9, 2018
Cat Nap
January 8, 2018
Yearning For Redemption
There is such a yearning for people to do good and to merit the coming of Mashiach (Messiah) towards the ultimate redemption for mankind.
It's on every street corner and light post.
Whether it's eyes gazed on the righteousness of Rabbi Nachman or The Rebbe--as we used to sing as kids in NCSY:
"We want Mashiach now!"
Whether Mashiach is an actual person or a spiritual revelation in the world leading to redemption--it represents an unprecedented enlightenment, holiness and a spiritual healing, and love and peace for mankind.
While we strive to earn our daily bread, it's nice to have a part of us that also seeks a greater good and achieving betterment for the world.
Any small or big things we can do in our lives to contribute to Tikkun Olam ("fixing the world"), it's purposeful, hopeful, and uplifting to try. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 21, 2017
Welcome To Israel Henna Party
It was amazing to me to see how the Holy Land has so developed from when I was here last over 25-years ago.
It is a thriving nation in every sense of the word.
Just as G-d has promised, the land and it's people have blossomed under His blessings.
I am grateful to G-d for helping me to reach this wonderful and happy time.
Tonight, we had a wonderful dinner with the in-laws and there was a henna ceremony as well--for good luck (Mazel Tov)!
Little did I know, I thought this bowl of henna was chocolate fudge and part of dessert--good thing that I didn't take a staining bite out of that.
How would that have looked in the wedding pictures? ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 19, 2017
Between A Liberal Rock and A Conservative Hard Place
On the ultra-conservative right--Neo-Nazi and White Supremacists.
And in the middle (regardless of political beliefs)--good people of faith and integrity with seemingly nowhere to turn.
________
{And I don't know what this is, but this is what I am hearing...}
Behold and fear a great fear.
Evil and violence will soon be upon you.
The forces of crushing hate will collide and spread throughout the face of the earth.
And the people will suffer a very great suffering.
And they will call out to the L-rd, and they will repent from their misguided wayward ways.
And the L-rd will see their judgement and he will cause a great stirring in man.
Great weapons will be released and a very great cleansing of man's hearts will occur.
I say to you redemption is upon you.
Redemption first by great pain and suffering, and then by great joy and exaltation.
And peace and morality will be restored on Earth.
Here this and hear it well, the time is short and good people must ready.
Gather yourselves together and prepare for the end of days and the beginning of days.
Those that are good and gathered will see peace and survive the onslaught before my mercy while many others will perish.
{Then the streaming tapers off...}
________
I don't understand the call for a gathering--aren't we safer perhaps spread out?
Perhaps the gathering refers to G-d's promise to gather His people from the four corners of the Earth.
- And they will walk the sacred middle ground through the Red Sea to the promised Holy Land.
The liberal left and conservative right have been overtaken by violent nutty extremists and radicals.
They have "split" from normal thinking and doing the correct thing--they have gone over the top!
A new righteous center--driven by faith and a moral compass --desperately needs to emerge now.
Hopefully, this will bring us to a new peace and prosperity--because the current isn't working. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 1, 2017
And It Will Come To Pass
And it will be in the days of Putin king of Russia and Xi Jinping king of China that Trump king of the USA will advance peace between Israel and its neighbors.
So that nation shall not life up sword again nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
And you will quiet your enemies to the north, and to the southwest, and to the far east.
None shall stand against you.
The time is coming when great arrows will pierce the hearts of your enemies, and the eyes of the people shall see and know that G-d, the protector of Israel and the judge of all, doth live and fulfills all his promises to those that honor their commitments to Him.
The answer is in your words and deeds to bring glory to the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
Sharpen your swords, gird your tongue in prayer, and cover yourselves in the everlasting deeds of your forefathers and mothers.
The time arrives for all mankind to witness the long arm of the L-rd and know his reign and mercy endures forever.
Be of faith and good courage.
And Israel will dwell in peace and security and the world will prosper in the redemption.
The ambers and ash of history are still warm, but the times of evil and destruction shall give way to a renewal of the simple, the good, and the peaceful following.
He who sits on the throne that is the foundation of all that lives gazes upon his creation with a sadness and promise.
Those who commit the worst evils will be found guilty and cleansed, and those of pure heart will be guiltless.
Evil will not stand in the presence of the L-rd of Hosts.
Redemption is at hand and the glorious saving by the spirit that is the spirit that speaks to all with a voice of thunder and lightening, and the angels will be awakened, and man will know and serve Him once more with a full heart and mindfulness to the Almighty.
Blessed be His name and His deeds are magnificent beyond wonder, generosity, and holiness.
Amen, Amen, Amen.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 10, 2017
Jerusalem - Happy 50 Years!
It is the 50th year since the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem, the beautiful and eternal capital of the State of Israel.
Today in synagogue we celebrated with a special kiddush.
72 years since the holocaust, and Israel doth live!
In song and dance, in prayer and devotion, in doing good deeds and charity, we celebrate our survival and G-d's redemption and return of the Jewish people to his promised Holy Land.
With still so much evil in the world--from brutal dictators, terrorists, human rights abusers, and bullies--it is always time to celebrate the freedom and democracy of America and Israel--who serve as a light unto the nations.
Surely as light can drive out darkness, those good people of faith and integrity can overcome the remnants of evil in this world. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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