March 17, 2024
The Hostage's Cry
The days are, oh, so long.
The years of the past now seem so short.
I am waiting for salvation.
In my heart, I pray over and over:
“Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d,
King of the Universe,
Who sets free those in bonds.”
I know you are coming to rescue me.
I am waiting for you.
(AI generated image via Craiyon)
January 21, 2024
L'Chaim for Body and Soul
(AI generated image from Craiyon)
L'Chaim for Body and Soul
January 14, 2024
Amazingly Beautiful Prayer for the IDF
Amazingly Beautiful Prayer for the IDF
December 8, 2023
October 29, 2023
Israel's Precise Strategy Against Hamas
(Credit Photo: Anastasia Petrova via https://unsplash.com/photos/person-holding-silver-compass-xu2WYJek5AI)
Israel's Precise Strategy Against Hamas
September 24, 2023
Checklist for Yom Kippur
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "A More Important Checklist for Yom Kippur."
(Credit Photo: Pixabay via https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-marking-check-on-opened-book-416322/)
Checklist for Yom Kippur
July 27, 2023
Tisha B'Av: Remembering The Fallen Temple
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Tisha B'Av: Remembering The Fallen Temple
June 11, 2023
What's in the Cholent?
(Credit photo: Becky via https://www.flickr.com/photos/35694730@N00/2738330081/in/photolist-5aYE8B-5LdtsL-5YkAgM)
What's in the Cholent?
May 28, 2023
Lessons in Peace, Inclusion, and Humanity
Lessons in Peace, Inclusion, and Humanity
May 21, 2023
Some Shabbos Chuckles
People never fail to amaze me in both their potential as well as in their idiosyncrasies. But the last number of weeks have really brought home that while we Jews share many commonalities, there are also quite a few quirky differences, and many of these are worth sharing.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Some Shabbos Chuckles
April 30, 2023
October 2, 2022
Worried About the Nukes?
Worried About the Nukes?
August 15, 2022
A Beautiful Song From The Guardians of Zion
The Jewish people are an incredible tapestry of amazing people from all over the world.
A Beautiful Song From The Guardians of Zion
August 7, 2022
Tisha B'Av - Destruction of The Temple
Tisha B'Av - Destruction of The Temple
The Irreligious Religious
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Irreligious Religious."
If some “religious” people do the wrong thing, disrespect their fellow Jews, hate on them, curse them, defile their prayers, that doesn’t mean they are really religious. Rather to the contrary — they are the irreligious religious!
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Irreligious Religious
July 30, 2022
Never Truly Alone
Alone, in the quiet.
There is pain, suffering, and loss.
Anxiety and depression.
But wait, there is also faith.
Never Truly Alone
July 10, 2022
Sprinkling of Jewish Wit and Wisdom
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Sprinkling of Jewish Wit and Wisdom."
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Sprinkling of Jewish Wit and Wisdom
July 3, 2022
Going to Minions or Minyan?
On the way to see Minions movie.
This kid can really play the part!
It's funny minion sounds like minyan. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Going to Minions or Minyan?
February 5, 2022
Synagogue Politics
Clearly, the mobile sanctuary and later the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and now our synagogues are “Houses of G-d,” where we go to pray, learn Torah, and worship Him, and where He resides among us. Sure, G-d is everywhere, but the synagogue/Temple is a unique, special, and spiritual place where we as community dedicate ourselves to G-d and worship Him. It should go without saying that the synagogue is not a place for petty politics, protests, or other antics.
As Jews, we are supposed to make a “Kiddush Hashem” (sanctification of G-d’s name) and not Chillul Hashem (desecration of G-d), and so my hope and prayer is that people in this synagogue and in every synagogue, can “let go” and instead “let G-d.”
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal, Image for Illustration Only)
Synagogue Politics
January 23, 2022
Not Terror But Hugs
While standing up for the Torah to be brought back to the ark, a little boy comes up to me and just gives me a big hug. I learned afterwards that the boy “makes the rounds” in shul giving everyone a beautiful Shabbat embrace. This simple symbolic act of caring and loving others, mainly many older people in synagogue, by this innocent child gave people an uncommon sense of happiness and even hope in our future despite the anti-Semitism and hate of too many others outside.The love of G-d is our secret for life and for our perseverance throughout history. G-d loves us as His children, but also punishes us as His children. As children, we are always learning and growing, but as adults we have to act in a way of righteousness and holiness, so that we will merit the former, and not the latter. With G-d's mercy and blessings, hopefully, we will have peace in our synagogues and our lives, wherever we reside in the world, to worship and live as Jewish people free of bigotry, hate, and terror, once and for all.
Not Terror But Hugs