Pearlstone Ruach: Shavuot 2026

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Pearlstone Ruach: Shavuot 2026

Seeing Shavuot Through the Eyes of a Child

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Seeing Shavuot Through the Eyes of a Child."

When my five-year-old grandson asked for pictures of the Torah and Ten Commandments for Shavuot, his sincere remark that “Hashem is so happy that you made these for me” stopped me in my tracks. His excitement revealed the Torah not as an ancient relic but as something alive, personal, and meaningful, embodying the innocence and clarity that adults often lose. This moment reflected Shavuot’s deeper message: though the Torah was given at Mount Sinai over 3,000 years ago, it is spiritually renewed each year as we return to it as changed people with new experiences and questions. Judaism endures not through nostalgia alone but through active engagement—learning, teaching, struggling, and returning—so that every generation, like my grandson, rediscover the Torah as something new and bring the covenant at Sinai to life once again.

(AI generated image) 

Seeing Shavuot Through the Eyes of a Child

Lessons in Peace, Inclusion, and Humanity

Please see my new video and article in The Times of Israel called "Lessons in Peace,Inclusion, and Humanity."

In this video, there are three stories from my recent Caribbean vacation, which include a conversation with a waiter about peace between Israelis and Palestinians, feeling unwelcome in a synagogue, and connecting with a stranger from India.

Lessons in Peace, Inclusion, and Humanity

Testing Our Faith

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Testing Our Faith."

In short, I think it’s healthy for us as human beings to ask questions, even the most difficult questions of why. We need to make sense of our world and the context in which we live. Questions like: Why do good people at times experience horrible loss and suffering? Why do atheists and sinners often seem to excel and succeed (my wife says, perhaps they sold their soul to the devil!)?

While asking why to search for G-d and try to understand His ways is human, at the same time, we as mere mortal human beings can not ever fully know G-d’s ways or His plan for us. In short, Mendel, the Chabad rabbi, said today, don’t get fixated on the why. Instead focus on what you can do to make the world better. Actions speak louder than words.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Testing Our Faith

How Hashem Was Found

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "How Hashem Was Found."

This disabled man was then charged with DUI and spent the next 8 1/2 years in prison. But the Rabbi of the prison helped him to find G-d in all this suffering and slowly he returned to his Jewish roots. Now, for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, commemorating the giving of the Torah to all the Jewish people, he was in synagogue, holding his prayer book and receiving the Ten Commandments with the rest of the congregants.

If this man who's body was crushed, leg lost, and who spent so many years in prison could find the good and his way back to Hashem, then there is hope for all of us who can learn, grow, and turn our lives around as well. G-d is there in the darkness and in the light, and we have to find Him and believe.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

How Hashem Was Found

Chag Sameach - Happy Shavuot!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Shavuot and Chag Sameach!

(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)

Chag Sameach - Happy Shavuot!

We Can't Look Away

(Source Video: Dossy Blumenthal)

We Can't Look Away

Why Only Two, Daddy?

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Why Only Two Daddy?"

The father goes on to explain that these are the commandments that G-d gave to the Jews (when they were redeemed from slavery in Egypt). He enumerates just two examples: keeping the Shabbat and honoring your mother and father. The son asks, 'What are the other commandments?' The father hesitates either not knowing any of the other commandments or simply unable to remember any more of them on the spot. And all of a sudden, the little boy starts wailing to his father: 'Daddy, why do you know only two, why?'

Knowing the Torah and commandments is not only for ourselves to do what's rights, but also to pass on the torch to the next generation. It's not always easy to be good examples, but it's the challenge we all face. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Why Only Two, Daddy?

Swimming In Florida

In lovely Florida.

Hit the swimming pool.

About to do my laps.

I got my gear and ready to rock and roll.

Please G-d, we'll spend the Jewish holiday of Shavuot (commemorating when we got the Torah) together here as a family.

What more can I ask.

Happy and grateful. ;-)

(Source Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)

Swimming In Florida