Showing posts with label Judaism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Judaism. Show all posts

May 17, 2026

Why I Came Back to Shul

Please see my new article in 
The Times of Israel called "Why I Came Back to Shul."

After drifting away from synagogue due to youthful disillusionment with the social hypocrisies and flaws of its members, I was drawn back by a series of persistent spiritual nudges, including the recurring appearance of the number 613. Returning to communal worship brought a shift in perspective, realizing that faith is about personal responsibility rather than the perfection of others. Through shared humor, imperfect traditions, and rallying together during a local family's medical crisis, I rediscovered the profound strength of a real, human community. Ultimately, the synagogue is not a showcase for saints but a vital sanctuary where fragile generations gather to look past their egos and connect with G-d.

(AI generated image)

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May 12, 2026

Tattoo of Peace

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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May 5, 2026

Hillulah Candle for the Rebbe

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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May 3, 2026

The Illusion of Safety Is Fading Fast

 

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Illusion of Safety Is Fading Fast."

Jews in America have long lived with the mistaken belief that comfort equals security, but rising antisemitism is exposing how fragile that assumption really is. The threat now cuts across every kind of Jewish identity, because hatred targets Jews as Jews, regardless of observance, politics, or views on Israel. Jewish history warns that danger grows when people delay taking warning signs seriously, which is why Israel stands as the one sovereign homeland where Jews can protect their future. Aliyah should therefore be seen not as panic, but as a responsible and courageous act to secure Jewish continuity for the next generation.

(AI generated image via ChatGPT)


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April 24, 2026

Israel at 78: The Future It Must Build

 

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Israel at 78: The Future It Must Build."

Israel’s 78th Independence Day serves as a powerful reminder that Jewish sovereignty is a lived reality, balancing the unrestrained joy of the next generation with the steady resolve of those who defend it. This restoration of dignity and agency defies centuries of displacement, asserting a permanent right to self-determination that persists despite modern challenges and critics' double standards. Rooted in the ethic of teshuvah, the nation embraces a culture of self-reflection and responsibility rather than a claim to perfection. As Israel looks toward its 80th year, it remains committed to a future defined by regional cooperation, global innovation through Tikkun Olam, and an unyielding security that protects its moral purpose.

(AI generated image via Gemini)


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Know Before Who You Stand

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 19, 2026

Beautiful Figurine Menorah


(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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April 13, 2026

Even Rocky Knows Where It All Comes From


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April 12, 2026

Holy Math: Why the Number 8 Changes Everything

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Holy Math: Why the Number 8 Changes Everything."

The "Eighth Day" is our sacred mandate to stop escaping the physical world and start sanctifying it, merging the raw materials of our lives with the fire of the Divine. From the act of circumcision and the inauguration of ancient Tabernacle to the miraculous oil of Chanukah, we see that the number eight is the heartbeat of Jewish resilience and the ultimate key to rededication. Even in our darkest modern moments, like the transition from the agony of October 7 to the unified defiance of October 8, we prove that pain can be transmuted into a powerful, holy purpose. This is the secret of our existence: taking every cry, every coin, and every breath to build a home for G-d right here in the thick of human experience.

(AI generated image via ChatGPT)

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April 5, 2026

Tree of Life

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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March 5, 2026

After 2000 Years


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February 15, 2026

Hashem Calls on Us to Bring Our Best

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Hashem Calls on Us to Bring Our Best."

Drawing from a story about diluted Arak, this reflection emphasizes that our spiritual lives should never be compromised by mediocrity or half-heartedness. Parshat Mishpatim reinforces this through the mandate of the "first fruits," calling us to offer Hashem and our community our absolute best rather than our leftovers. This standard of excellence extends to our interpersonal relationships, requiring pure compassion for the vulnerable and integrity even toward our enemies. Ultimately, by dedicating our unique strengths and "choicest portions" to the collective, we build a resilient nation and a life defined by enduring quality.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

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February 8, 2026

Each of Us Can Defend Israel

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Each of Us Can Defend Israel."

As an American Jew, I see in Israelis a courage and vitality born from living under constant threat yet choosing life with fierce resolve. Their resilience—rooted in faith, sacrifice, and purpose—reminds us that Jewish strength has always been both spiritual and physical. While those of us in the Diaspora fight through advocacy, education, and solidarity, only in Israel do Jews truly command their own fate, defending their land and people with their own hands. Across oceans and generations, we are bound by one calling: to stand together in the timeless struggle for freedom, faith, and the survival of our people.

(AI generated image via Gemini)

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January 18, 2026

A Listening Heart: Guarding the Jewish Future

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "A Listening Heart: Guarding the Jewish Future."

In the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attacks, the Jewish community faces a profound "mishearing" regarding the narratives surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with anti-Zionism and antisemitism intertwining. Domestically, internal divisions over security and identity issues contributed to a failure to heed warnings of impending danger, an echo of historical spiritual deafness. The Torah portion Va'era illustrates this theme through Pharaoh's refusal to heed divine commands, paralleling examples from Jewish history where failure to discern truth resulted in catastrophe and division. Current oppressive regimes, like Iran's Ayatollah, exhibit similar denial of their people's voices, prioritizing power over humanity. The call to action for the Jewish community is clear: fostering a 'listening heart' to learn from the past while uniting to reject complacency and strengthen identity amidst challenges.

(AI generated image via Meta)

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January 11, 2026

Free Free Free Iran!


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January 4, 2026

Liberation’s Call: From Venezuela to Iran

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Liberation's Call: From Venezuela to Iran."

The Jewish and Zionist narrative is a foundational saga of liberation, transforming the ancient Exodus into a modern divine mandate to confront tyranny and uphold human dignity. Through the lens of tikkun olam, the recent collapses of the Maduro and Assad regimes are seen as more than geopolitical shifts; they are moral victories that prove principled leadership can dismantle industrialized cruelty. Today, this imperative focuses on Iran, where the regime’s systematic repression and export of terror represent a modern "Pharaoh" that must be countered to protect both regional stability and universal human rights. Ultimately, the Zionist model of reclaiming indigenous sovereignty serves as a global blueprint, asserting that the transition from bondage to self-determination is a sacred birthright for all oppressed peace-loving peoples.

(AI generated image via Meta) 

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December 27, 2025

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)

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December 18, 2025

Menorah Decorative Plate

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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December 15, 2025

Torah, Prayer, and Good Deeds

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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