The Laps We Keep Walking

 

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Laps We Keep Walking."

This Rosh Hashanah, a difficult year of health challenges alongside the blessing of early retirement led me to confront a central truth: life rarely offers uninterrupted good fortune or a straight path from strength to success. Walking laps despite a limp became my personal reminder that accepting a limitation is not the same as accepting defeat—and that resilience can mean simply taking one more step forward. Remembering my grandmother’s final expression of gratitude to my grandfather, who had patiently cared for her through years of memory loss, reminded me not to wait to thank the people who stand beside us. Amid private sorrow and a deeply divided public culture, we need gratitude, humility, compassion for burdens we cannot see, and the courage to begin again.

(AI generated image)

The Laps We Keep Walking

Waving Cats

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Waving Cats

G-d Bless the USA and Israel!

G-d Bless the USA and Israel!

IDF is Beautiful

IDF is Beautiful

Positive Attitude

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Positive Attitude

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)

Hashem Calls on Us to Bring Our Best

Trump’s Fury: Power That Actually Delivers

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Trump's Fury: Power That Actually Delivers."

President Donald Trump shatters bureaucratic gridlock through bold actions—from recognizing Jerusalem and forging Abraham Accords, to freeing Gaza hostages via ultimatums and crippling Iran's nuclear program with maximum pressure. He secured future battlefields by creating Space Force, extracting the Greenland Framework for Arctic dominance, and accelerating the Golden Dome missile shield against hypersonic threats. Economically, Trump revived America via USMCA trade wins, massive deregulation, $500 billion Stargate AI infrastructure, energy independence, and border security triumphs over cartels. Like Cyrus the Great—who built empires while championing human rights—Trump's divinely-guided victories demand we reimagine Article II as a sword for victory, empowering decisive leadership against China, Russia, and global tyrants.

(AI generated image via ChatGPT)

Trump’s Fury: Power That Actually Delivers

Blessings

Blessings

Sweet Taste of Success

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
 

Sweet Taste of Success

Prayer for the IDF

(Photo via Facebook)

Prayer for the IDF

In It To Win It!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

In It To Win It!

Believe in Yourself

(Credit Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)

Believe in Yourself

10 War Strategies for Peace

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "10 War Strategies for Peace."

Of course, we may not win every battle, but we need to make sure that we win the war. Strategy and tactics, along with plenty of investment, planning, technology, training, and execution, are the way to win. 

Ultimately, peace is the goal, but to get there, we must be ever vigilant, smart, and strong, and maintain our faith in the Almighty.

(Photo via https://www.army.mil/article/247350/fort_leonard_wood_examines_wwii_ghost_army_deception_tactics)

10 War Strategies for Peace

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

Make Your Life a Sanctuary for G-d

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Make Your Life a Sanctuary for G-d."

In short, everything we do in life should be great, but not for our greatness. Everything that we do should be done with passion and determination, but not for our sakes. We are only here by the loving grace of G-d and for as long as He wills it. In our time here, we need to act in a way that means something beyond our finite, selfish mortal selves and instead be selfless for the purpose of our Creator.

If you lived your life for G-d, for good, and for a greater purpose, then your inner spiritual legacy will live on beyond your years and even your name. If you build a sanctuary for G-d, it will have holiness and permanence not only in this world but, more importantly, in the next.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Make Your Life a Sanctuary for G-d

Rising To Great Heights

When we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us...

We can truly reach great heights!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Rebecca and Itzchak)

Rising To Great Heights

Ten ‘Points to Ponder’

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Ten 'Points to Ponder'."

My dear father, Fred Blumenthal (ZT”L), like many from his generation, used to read Reader’s Digest. I remember that there was a section called “Points to Ponder,” which I thought was a good title for things that can have a deeper and more profound meaning in our lives. So in this vein, I’d like to share a variety of thoughts that may give you pause to ponder as well.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Ten ‘Points to Ponder’

Great Video on Happiness and The Rat Race

Great Video on Happiness and The Rat Race

Never Truly Alone

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

David Slays Goliath

This video clip is totally awesome:

David standing up to and killing Goliath. 

Faith over fear. 

With G-d, anything is possible!  ;-)

David Slays Goliath