Mr and Mrs

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Mr and Mrs

The Abyss Taught Me That Connection Is Everything

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Abyss Taught Me That Connection Is Everything." 

A terrifying dream of being cut off from everyone and everything I love became a powerful meditation on what it means to belong. Through the ideas of karet, exile, and Zion, I came to see that the deepest human fear is not pain but disconnection from G-d, from people, and from purpose. The dream also reminded me that life is meant for relationship: to cleave, to build, to return, and to create continuity rather than isolation. In the end, it left me with a renewed gratitude for belonging and a deeper conviction that connection is what makes life meaningful.

(AI generated image)

The Abyss Taught Me That Connection Is Everything

Love Letters

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Love Letters

Empathy!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Empathy!

Swinging My Gal

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Swinging My Gal

Have You Seen Any Lately?

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Have You Seen Any Lately?

Happy Valentine's Day

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Happy Valentine's Day

Nobody Wanted War

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Nobody Wanted War."

We know that Israel wants more than anything to live in peace and that they have tried virtually everything to make peace with their neighbors, including multiple offerings of a state for the Palestinians (and even giving in to practically their every demand, often to the Israelis own detriment), only to meet with one repeated rejection after another reiterating the Arab League's Khartoum Resolution: "no peace with Israel, no negotiation with Israel, and no recognition of Israel."

After October 7, the deadly abuse absolutely could not continue any longer.

There is a time to walk away and a time for necessary action.

(AI generated image via Craiyon)

Nobody Wanted War

Wise Decision

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Wise Decision

The Grouchy Neighbor Who Brought Me Closer to G-d

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Grouchy Neighbor Who Brought Me Closer to G-d."

Thankfully, nothing terrible happened, but it's these everyday slights and provocations that can really hurt our feelings and end up pushing us away from G-d and Judaism.

However, I realized that G-d sends me certain encounters so that I can reflect, write about them, and share with you some things that really aren't the Torah way. We all have to deal with difficult people and challenging situations, but fundamentally and always, G-d is all good and wants us to turn to Him despite and even because of these happenstances.

While there is no such thing as hurt, insult, embarrassment, or suffering that is trivial, I hope that G-d will bless us to see past the pain of life and continue to find our way to embrace Him with all our heart, as well as to forgive our neighbors.

(AI Generated Image by Andy Blumenthal)

The Grouchy Neighbor Who Brought Me Closer to G-d

A Bissel Humor

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "A Bissel Humor."

In short, sometimes Jews can be so serious (and even a little miserable from circumstance, of course), and we can't always afford good therapy, so we use humor to cope and get along.

One of life's great lessons is to use words to make people happy and laugh whenever you can, to raise their spirits, your own, and even give the Almighty a good laugh or two as well.

(Credit Photo: cottonbro studio via https://www.pexels.com/photo/happy-couple-in-candlelight-4038287/)

A Bissel Humor

A Tale of Love, Food, and AI

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "A Tale of Love, Food, and AI."

So what do love, food, and artificial intelligence (AI) have to do with each other? Well, in this case, I have a number of special anecdotes from this week about getting some behind-the-scenes insight from others on all three topics.

(Credit Photo: Artem Podrez via https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-eating-unhealthy-food-4728849/) 

A Tale of Love, Food, and AI

Jealous Over Nothing

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Jealous Over Nothing."

Whether it’s stocks, mansions, lottery tickets, bitcoins, or other worldly objects that we put our hopes and dreams into, at the end of the day, the reality is that they are all nothing compared to what is really important and meaningful:

• The precious time we have with our loved ones
• Selflessly caring for and giving to others
• Living faithful, holy lives in the eyes of the Almighty

These are the things that money can never buy, and they give true inner happiness that outer material trappings can never even aspire to.

(Source Photo: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/room-money-dollar-wealth-success-1288438/) 

Jealous Over Nothing

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is in the air!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Getting Ready 4 Valentine's Day

"Come n Get Your Love"

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Getting Ready 4 Valentine's Day

Chutzpah Dating

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Chutzpah Dating."

It used to be that young men and women went on dates and generally treated each other respectfully and civilly as they explored whether there was a spark between them and potentially a match to be made. But somewhere along the lines, too many Prince Charmings have turned into real ugly toads.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Chutzpah Dating

Love this Song

Greg Kihn Band. ‎

The Breakup Song.

Love this Song

The Art of Friendship

Please see my article in The Times of Israel called "The Art of Friendship."

My hope and prayer is that this is just a small microcosm of friendship and peace that can spread in all communities, societies, nations, and lands, so that we are no longer black or white, Jew, Muslim, or Christian, or any other divisive label, but rather that we are all children of G-d, and plain and simple, friends.

(Credit Photos: Andy and Dossy Blumenthal)

The Art of Friendship

Service With A Smile

Best bell to ring for service. 

The smile is contagious. 

One ring, and the customer service representative comes running. 

Excellence starts with the first ring! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Service With A Smile

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