Ten ‘Points to Ponder’

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Ten 'Points to Ponder'."

My dear father, Fred Blumenthal (ZT”L), like many from his generation, used to read Reader’s Digest. I remember that there was a section called “Points to Ponder,” which I thought was a good title for things that can have a deeper and more profound meaning in our lives. So in this vein, I’d like to share a variety of thoughts that may give you pause to ponder as well.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Ten ‘Points to Ponder’

How One “Peacenik” Became Practical

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "How One 'Peacenik' Became Practical.'"

Simplistically, you can say that the Right is right! After almost 2,000 years of Jewish diaspora, pogroms, persecution, and the Holocaust, Jews can no longer, in good conscience, tolerate any existential threats. While Jews initially accepted the UN partition for a two-state solution, Arabs vehemently rejected it and went to war against the then-fledgling State of Israel. Moreover, despite the Arab loss, they continued to mount martial campaigns, intifadas, terrorism, and war against Israel, only to be repeatedly defeated. Each and every chance that Israel gave the Palestinians for mediation, negotiation, compromise, and peace was rejected and met with more cries of Jihad!

In short, the Left is right when it comes to caring about others and the ultimate goal that we all seek, which is genuine and lasting peace and the ability to live side by side as brothers and sisters in peace and prosperity. However, the Left got it all wrong when it comes to the reality on the ground in terms of the radical Islamic groups who want no peace, no negotiation, and no recognition of Israel, period. This is where the hope of the Left met the reality of the Right, and the Left lost all credibility, at least for the time being. Perhaps, just perhaps, reality will change and radical hearts will soften and give peace a fighting chance, allowing the Left to be right as well.

(Source Photo: IDF Editorial Team; https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/palestinian-terrorism/a-soldier-s-letter-to-the-mothers-of-the-kidnapped-teens/)

How One “Peacenik” Became Practical

Monsters and Humans

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Monsters and Humans."

Ultimately, the litmus test is whether there is a human in that being. If there is that spark of G-d, that soul, that inner conscience weighing right and wrong, that fear and love of G-d and his creations driving decision-making, then there is still hope for that person as well as for mankind.

However, if we are dealing with those who are sadistic animals in human form, then we must be as soldiers of Hashem, taking a firm stand and decisive action, because true evil does not remain dormant for long.

(Source Photo: Aneesh Ans; https://www.pexels.com/photo/painted-face-of-person-portrait-photo-1211966/)

Monsters and Humans

The Real Unthinkable Option

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Real Unthinkable Option."

Listen, we are forever in a battle of good and evil in this world. We have to rise to the occasion to stand by our faith in G-d and ensure that good prevails. Easier said than done, because of course, fighting to defeat wrongdoing and evil is not only a battle that takes places within our own souls, but with those that have already sold their souls to the devil for money, power, honor, and every worldly gratification. So, the battles and wars ahead are scary indeed, but we have to choose the right side, silence our own inner conflict and turmoil, and put our fears aide.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Real Unthinkable Option

There's Got To Be A Morning After

 (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

There's Got To Be A Morning After

What’s Your Kindness

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "What's Your Kindness."

When we are happy, we are able to graciously and generously give to others, and when we give to others, we are able to be happy! All the other pursuits in life such as wealth, ego, good looks, and so on are nothing but vanities (like King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes), and in the end lead to nothing but loss and suffering. However, giving and the happiness and positive spiritual energy it creates endures.

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

What’s Your Kindness

Washington Monument Tall and Proud

Thought this was a pretty picture of the Washington Monument. 

Marble Obelisk that stands tall and proud against the clear blue sky in the nation's capital

Inspiring and hopeful for the future, if people don't blow the opportunities for collaboration and progress.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Washington Monument Tall and Proud

Fiery Star of David

Sharing this beautiful Magen David (Star of David). 

Saw it on Facebook and thought it's really dazzling!

Man, we're on fire  and in a good way--rebirth after the horrors of the Holocaust, redemption to and flourishing of the Promised Land of Israel, and what looks like many more incredible things to come.

Hence, my reading of the three stars: our past, present, and future. 

G-d's plan for the world is happening, and it's hopefully very bright indeed.  ;-)

Fiery Star of David

Vibrant Fashion Colors

Wow, what a vibrant fashion display of color at Macy's!

This is bold. 

This is fun.

This is exciting. 

This is alive. 

We're coming from the Covid dead back to the pre-pandemic life!  

Take out your stimulus checks and get ready to spend. 

There is still hope for humankind.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Vibrant Fashion Colors

Beautiful Flowers 4 A Beautiful Day!

Beautiful flowers for a beautiful day!

In this painting, art does a wonderful job imitating life. 

I love the flower pot as well as the flowers. 

Nature, in real and artistic ways, fills us with renewed life.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Beautiful Flowers 4 A Beautiful Day!

What's With This Crazy World?

I don't recognize this world. 

This world has gone to sleep. 

It's not the world of life I used to know. 

Now fear and isolation pervade about. 

Things aren't even what they seem or they seem to be what they aren't. 

Everything is glossed over and black and white are easily substituted. 

There used to be a moral ground and a forward path. 

Now you have to have a stronger faith and inner conviction than ever before. 

To see the light at the end of the tunnel and hope it's the light we all yearn for.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

What's With This Crazy World?

Covid May Be Over When Pigs Can Fly

Don't be fooled by the Covid vaccines. 

Aside from the very disappointing and dysfunctional rollout so far (less than 3 millions first doses in the time that they promised 20 million), the virus is mutating!

Hence the new yet more contagious Covid virus now going around. 

I wouldn't get my hopes up too high on the results of the vaccine quite yet. 

Hype is the opioid of the masses. 

Like the flu, Covid may be over when pigs can fly.  ;-)

(Credit Photo:  Andy Blumenthal) 

Covid May Be Over When Pigs Can Fly

The End of Times

I am looking for a good book on the Jewish view of the End of Times.

• Who fights who?
• What happens and how does the fighting finally end?
• Who will live and who will die?
• Who from the dead will be resurrected?
• What occurs in practical terms when the Mashiach arrives?
• What does G-d's revelation to the whole world look and feel like?
• Where is Israel at each step in unfolding of the redemption?
• How does the 3rd Temple actually get built?
• Is world peace not only possible, but also enduring? 

Wow, would love to read a layman's book like this.  

Can anyone recommend anything really good?  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The End of Times

Humming The Hatikvah

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Humming The Hatikvah."

But as I walk in the water, feeling both the softness and purity of the beautiful water as well as the buoyancy and resistance of it, I think to myself that no Jews should not be familiar and know The Israel national anthem. After 2,000 painful years in exile culminating in the concentration camps like Theresienstadt and The Six Million murdered Jews, we all must know that now G-d has kept his promise to our forefathers and returned us to The Holy Land.

Assuredly, we are living in the time of miracles, the redemption, and soon to be the coming of the Mashiach. Now is the time not just to hum The Hatikvah, but to bring every Jew back, including me and my family. It’s almost time to go home, where we will sing and dance, with hearts brimming over with Joy, before our L-rd, and once again go to worship at our holy Temple in Jerusalem. May it be His will! Amen.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Humming The Hatikvah

Forever Together: Peace and Security

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Forever Together: Peace and Security."

For Israel, we’re turning the corner towards peace and how wonderful it is, yet even as we do, we must never relax on the safety and security of our people.

Yes, in earnest, we hope for peace, we crave it, and we even sacrifice (sometimes painfully) for it, but also we know that we must safeguard that peace and our lives though the best, most advanced and relentless security, in case that often illusive and miraculously achieved peace at any time fails or falters. Strength, along with undying faith in the Almighty, is the constant and enduring safeguard of the peace that we so yearn for with our every fiber. This is why peace and security must always go hand-in-hand together.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Forever Together: Peace and Security

Hear O' Israel

Hear O' Israel,

The L-rd is our G-d,

The L-rd is One!

Hear O' Israel

I'm Still Alive!

600 Holocaust Survivors and their descendants sing "Chai" (Life) by Ofra Haza.

Hope is not yet lost.

I live. I live. I live. 

I cried my eyes out watching this. 

The Jewish people not only survived the Holocaust as most of the world sat by and watched the genocide of six million men, women, and children with a soulless indifference, but G-d has kept his promise and restored the Jewish people and returned them to the Holy Land and made it flourish again!

(Thank you to my sister, Roz, for sharing this with me)

I'm Still Alive!

The Times of Mashiach

Truly, we are living in the times of Maschiach. 

Someone contacted me with a friend request on Facebook, and his profile included that he is a:

Torah-Observant Gentile

Wow! 

It's truly like we say in the Aleinu prayer every day:

All Mankind shall invoke Your Name, to turn to You all the wicked of the earth.  They will recognize and know--all the inhabitants of the world---that every knee should bend to You...The L-rd will be King over the entire earth; on that day the L-rd will be One and His Name One.

We are on the way and I hope we all get to see and cross over the finish line soon. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal) 

The Times of Mashiach

Singing Frankie The Fish + Happy Engagement Day

At the fish counter at Seven Mile Market in Baltimore, they had Frankie the Fish singing away.

Give me that fish...if it were you in that sandwich you wouldn't be laughing at all.

And most important today is I am singing because of a very happy day:

Thank you Hashem on the the engagement of Minna and Nafi! 

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Singing Frankie The Fish + Happy Engagement Day

My Merkava

Ah, it finally came. 

My new wall hanging of a Merkava IV tank. 

This is a large 47x36 photo print on aluminum and weights about 8 pounds. 

I have it hanging proudly in my home.

To me, this is absolutely beautiful.  

And did I say, I love it!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

My Merkava