A time for rest and rejuvenation.
Each of us has to take care of and nourish our body, mind, and soul.
Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom!
Please stay safe and healthy. ;-)
(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
Showing posts with label Hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hope. Show all posts
May 1, 2020
Shabbat Shalom and Stay Healthy!
A time for rest and rejuvenation.
Each of us has to take care of and nourish our body, mind, and soul.
Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom!
April 26, 2020
Count Your Blessings
I just wanted to share a short reflection with everything going on in the world these days with coronavirus and the economic shutdown: I see people are scared and confused, under lockdown and feeling financial strain, and many are getting sick and dying. But I remember the words of my dear father who used to say: "Count Your Blessings!" And he was so right. There are so many things, literally every moment of every day, for us to be grateful for:
Certainly, we all face extreme difficulties or challenges at times in our lives, but things can always be so much worse, and there is still so much for us to be grateful for. Therefore, truly thank you G-d with a hundred blessings—and more—for every moment of every precious day. And we affirm that surely the L-rd who created us will continue to sustain us, and that ultimately all will be for the good.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 3, 2020
Those Were Different Days
When the stores still had stuff on the shelves.
And you could go in without waiting outside for half an hour for social distancing.
With everyone wearing protective masks and obsessively washing their hands, so please G-d not to get sick.
Then we were happy!
Now we are all just scared.
Even if some people are pretending they aren't.
It's more what we still don't know then what we do.
And how things can unravel so quickly.
Makes us all appreciate what we had, and hopefully what we'll have again.
Shabbat Shalom! ;-)
( Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 31, 2020
Children Are Our Future
It is good to see the children playing outside (even in smallish groups).
It's trying times with schools closed, many parents trying to telework, and the need to take care of the children (especially the younger ones) at the same time.
We can't lose sight that the children are our future.
They are everything in this world.
Even with the Coronavirus pounding away at our older and more vulnerable populations, we can still thank G-d that not many children have been infected.
Even in challenging times, G-d shows His mercy to us. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 29, 2020
Hope Amidst Coronavirus
January 15, 2020
G-d Hears Your Prayers
Even if a sharp sword rests upon a person's neck, he should not refrain from praying for mercy.
One can still hope for mercy from the Almighty even at death's door.
This is truly beautiful and uplifting--we can approach G-d anytime, and as long as we are alive, there is always hope.
The saving from G-d is like "the blink of an eye." ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 6, 2019
Fire Stripes on Buggy
November 28, 2019
October 1, 2019
The Founding Of Zionism
| Key Person | Year | Published Work | Main Idea |
| Avraham Mapu | 1853 | The Love of Zion | Longing of Jewish people for their ancestral homeland |
| Moses Hess | 1862 | Rome and Jerusalem | Europe's welcome to Jews is tenuous, and Jews should seek return to homeland |
| Leon Pinsker | 1882 | Auto-Emancipation | Jews are not accepted in European host countries, and are urged to seek national rebirth |
| Nathan Birnbaum | 1890 | Self-Emancipation | Coined the term Zionism referring to a movement to re-create a national Jewish home in Israel |
| Chaim Nachman Bialik | 1892 |
El Hatzipor (To The Bird)
|
Poem on longing for return to Zion |
| Chaim Nachman Bialik | 1898 | Mikra'ei Zion (Assemblies of Zion) | Poem of hope and expectation of return to Zion |
| Theodor Herzl | 1896 | The Jewish State | Jewish State will usher an end to rabid anti-Semitism everywhere |
| Theodor Herzl | 1897 | Launched Zionism as political movement and convened first Zionist Congress | |
| Theodor Herzl | 1902 | Altneuland | Envisions idyllic future Jewish state |
| Ze'ev Jabotinsky | 1923 | Samson Nazorei | Ideal of active, courageous, Jewish warrior |
I am reading the book Israel: "A Concise History of a Nation Reborn" by Daniel Gordis.
I've prepared this summary of the founding of Zionism, which I have briefly summarized above.
Hope this is helpful to those interested in the origins of the founding of the modern State of Israel.
(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
February 14, 2019
Diamonds Under Pressure
They said:
Pressure makes diamonds.
Diamonds are of the most beautiful and precious items in the world that we give to our loved ones as a symbol of our tremendous love for them.
Diamonds are crystals made of pure carbon that formed under high temperature and extreme pressure.
People too are often under extreme pressure in life from all sorts of demands and challenges whether it be work, family, threats, or illness.
But just like from pressure comes diamonds, so too can pressure make us from rough and imperfect human beings into smooth, polished, and spectacular people.
Rather than crack under pressure, we need to cope with it and let it strengthen us and shape us to be the gems we can be. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 21, 2019
November 4, 2018
Problems Are Earthly
"G-d is greater than you problem"
- Problems may seem like the end.
But G-d is the root of all BEGINNINGS!
- Problems may be overwhelming.
But G-d is your HEAVENLY FATHER AND MOTHER!
- Problems may be big.
But G-d is INFINITE!
- Problems may be tough.
But G-d is ALL POWERFUL!
- Problems may be challenging.
But G-d has all the ANSWERS!
- Don't let your problems get you down.
See the bigger picture.
Know you are not alone in the universe.
Have faith that everything is in G-d's hands and will be alright. ;-)
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
November 3, 2018
Appreciate The Good
After synagogue services today, we sat at the Kiddish with a lovely couple, and the lady took the opportunity to go around the table and ask each person: “What good thing happened to you this week?” I really appreciated the idea of focusing on the good and the miracles we live through every day rather than the bad things. It was interesting though that people seemed to have trouble saying something really positive from their week. In truth, they seemed more enveloped in the problems of the times rather than the opportunities that each day brings.But truly, there are so many good things that we can appreciate each and every day, and that inspires faith and hope for many more good things to come. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 30, 2018
Beautiful Flowers
The colors and shapes are so amazing.
It's like you can see G-d's amazing hand in creating these so intricately, delicately and with so much brilliance.
There is comfort in His work and the life He has given.
I am grateful for each day to serve His purpose.
Hope you enjoy the gorgeous flowers. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 21, 2018
Awesome "Am Echad" by Ari Goldwag
And you are not with me
What am I when I am separate?
For I am a Jew
I do not go alone
Just with you, my friend, hand in hand
One nation, one song
Come my brother and give me your hand
And we will rejoice and dance together
As one person, with one heart
I don't want want to be alone,
Just forever brothers sitting together
To be a family
Is the secret of joy
For everything is better together
And we sing
All Israel are friends
We won't give up on anyone
If we can successfully love
And sing 'how pleasant..'
The Moshiach will come soon
September 23, 2018
And On That Day...
In the true story that I recount, a little Ethiopian girl tells me:
There is no reason to fight because we all believe in G-d and that He created us.
Similar to what Zechariah prophesized (14:9)
The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.
I hope you enjoy this piece on faith, unity, and hope for the future. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 9, 2018
Lessons In Teshuvah - Near-Death Experience
September 8, 2018
Prayer For Rosh Hashanah
Prayer for Rosh Hashanah.
May it be truly a year of blessings.
Wishing everyone a sweet and happy New Year!
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 29, 2018
What A Beautiful Song - To Forgive and to Forget
February 20, 2018
Mikva = Tikva
It promotes holiness and sanctity in the family.
Mikva (Jewish ritual bath) = Tikva (hope)
Rebirth and renewal (from the immersion in the holy water).
Build your family in sanctity!
Purity leads to sanctity.
The Jewish laws of refraining from sexual relations during Nidda (a women's menstruation) and of immersing in the mikvah at the end of the cycle and before the husband and wife coming back together physically are cornerstones of acting with self-control and a couple dedicating themselves to Hashem first.
The family is the core of raising and educating our children and of the makeup of the community and ultimately of serving G-d in everything we do.
Self-control (with sexual purity, kosher food, Sabbath time, etc.) is what separates us from animals and how we emulate being more like the angels.
It is also a way for a husband and wife to elevate their love and show respect for each other as human beings and not just physical beings.
I never saw a clock that reminds us of these holy concepts and laws like this.
Also at the top it says another well-known Jewish quote about managing our time wisely:
"The day is short and the task is great."
Another good reminder to maximize the use of our time every day here on Earth and to make the most out of every moment.
If we dedicate ourselves to serving G-d, raising our families, being productive professionally and personally, and acting with integrity and sanctity always--this is a good life! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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