Shabbat Candle Lighting

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Shabbat Candle Lighting

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)

Why I Came Back to Shul

We’re All Human When It Comes to Chicken Fingers

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "We're All Human When It Comes to Chicken Fingers."

A synagogue set aside a special kiddush table for teens, clearly announced and even humorously “guarded” to keep it reserved for them. Despite this, one adult ignored the boundary and took food from the teen table, highlighting a gap between stated standards and personal behavior. Although the individual was known for criticizing others, no one confronted him, reflecting a conscious choice to avoid embarrassment or retaliation. The episode ultimately became a lesson in restraint, humility, and the Jewish values of not taking revenge or bearing a grudge.

(AI generated photo via ChatGPT)

We’re All Human When It Comes to Chicken Fingers

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)

Holy Math: Why the Number 8 Changes Everything

Meatballs or Fishballs? A Kiddush Mystery!

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Meatballs or Fishballs? A Kiddush Mystery!"

At a lively Sephardic kiddush, I grabbed what I thought were delicious meatballs, only to be told by a spirited older lady that they were actually fish balls. Our debate got unexpectedly heated, with her insisting she knew best—after all, she’d been to every synagogue dinner. Lesson learned: never argue with a seasoned congregant about kiddush food, and maybe steer clear of the fish balls!

(AI generated image via Gemini)

Meatballs or Fishballs? A Kiddush Mystery!

Bring Them Home

Bring Them Home

No Jew Left Behind

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "No Jew Left Behind."

Rabbi Kaplan spoke of how Rabbi Zvi Kogan, now in heaven, surely continues his good work and intercedes on behalf of all of us, especially the hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas. He compared Kogan to the Sassover Rebbe, known for redeeming thousands of Jewish captives in the 1700s. Upon the Sassover Rebbe’s death, it is said he continued redeeming souls in the afterlife, even negotiating the release of souls from hell.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

No Jew Left Behind

Shabbat Shalom Flowers

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Shabbat Shalom Flowers

Colorful Shabbat Shalom

Colorful Shabbat Shalom

My Supernova

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "My Supernova."

Years ago, there was a time when I rebelled against religion, Judaism, and G-d. It was my version of running to the Supernova Music Festival, where I could dance and party to the music under the desert sky. I was young, and probably like many others, went through a stage when I wanted to express my freedom and independence.

On October 7, of the almost 1,200 people massacred that day, 364 were at the music festival. No one can say why anyone lost their lives, were brutally tortured and raped, or were abducted by these radical Islamic terrorists that day—it was pure evil—but like me missing Rosh Hashanah years ago, people at Supernova were also misplaced from the holy Shabbat services and the singing and dancing with the Torahs for the holiday. This is a kind of Jewish tragedy.

(AI Generated Image via Craiyon)

My Supernova

Shabbat Shalom Flower

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Shabbat Shalom Flower

What's in the Cholent?

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "What's in the Cholent?"

Anyway, for all of you who have had the experience, I am sure that you will agree that it's truly not a Shabbat meal without a big pot of cholent (or, should I say, dafina, as my Sephardic friends say). And it's not a bowl of cholent that you want to eat unless you've hand-picked every single scoop of it yourself, even if you don't quite know what it is you're looking for to begin with.

(Credit photo: Becky via https://www.flickr.com/photos/35694730@N00/2738330081/in/photolist-5aYE8B-5LdtsL-5YkAgM)

What's in the Cholent?

Some Shabbos Chuckles

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

This Is One of Those Days

Overstressed!

Need some calming Shabbat relief.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

This Is One of Those Days

Pop Culture Just Doesn't "Get" Us

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Pop Culture Just Doesn't 'Get' Us."

Of course, when Jews are hypocrites, act holier than thou, or do bad things, they give the rest of us a bad name, and this can breed not only confusion about Jews but also, in the extreme, hate and anti-Semitism. One Chabad Rabbi said today that the Rebbe hardly ever used the word anti-Semitism or spoke of it; instead, he focused on the idea that Jews should do good and perform acts of G-dliness and righteousness in the world.

I believe we can all agree that Jews behave differently; sometimes they do good, sometimes they don't, but regardless, we're a little bit of a mystery to many non-Jews, which is sometimes shrouded in a large dose of fiction and conspiracy. For many, I put it this way: they still can't understand why the fiddler was ever playing on the roof to begin with.

(Credit Photo: ericbarns via https://pixabay.com/photos/dancing-clubbing-dancers-nightclub-206740/)

Pop Culture Just Doesn't "Get" Us

Shabbat Shalom Everyone!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Shabbat Shalom Everyone!

7 & the Redemption

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "7 & the Redemption."

There can be no doubt that the long-awaited completion of our redemption and the coming of the Mashiach by the Jewish year 6,000 (the beginning of the seventh millennium) is established no less than the Shabbat, which is the seventh day of every week for us. The Shabbat, in fact, is considered a covenant between G-d and the Jewish people, and so too, according to Maimonides’ “13 Principles of Faith,” we trust in the coming of Mashiach.

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

7 & the Redemption

7th For Shabbat

Six of the yellow leaves are for the workweek. 

And the seventh (bent over at the top) is separate for Shabbat. 

Even nature reminds us to keep G-d's commandments. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

7th For Shabbat

Sprinkling of Jewish Wit and Wisdom

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Sprinkling of Jewish Wit and Wisdom."

Jews are well known for their sharp wit, humor, and wisdom, which, of course, is thanks to the blessings bestowed on His people by Hashem. In the article I share some recent Jewish tidbits.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Sprinkling of Jewish Wit and Wisdom

Spring Flowers for Shabbat

Good to be coming up on Shabbat.

So much to be grateful for to G-d Almighty

• Health
• Peace
• Prosperity
• Family to enjoy it with

Thank you for another week!   ;-)

Spring Flowers for Shabbat