July 30, 2023
We're Not Prepared
Whether it is our inability to imagine what can happen, our disbelief in it actually occurring, or our ineffectiveness or corruption to really prepare, we may be in serious peril from future threats that invariably await us. When that earthquake that we know is overdue hits the west coast hard, or a nuclear ICBM from North Korea or Iran hits somewhere in our mainland, or the next bio-weapon from China strikes our masses, or Russia cripples our satellites and Internet with one of their hidden Trojans or a zero-day cyber-attack, we can all shake our heads in utter disbelief again at how unprepared we are for the "next one."
Certainly, no one is invulnerable to tragedy, no preparation will ever be perfect, and we can never get everything right in responding to and recovering when disaster strikes, but if we don't stop the endless denial and infighting, allocate our limited resources with foresight and good cause, and make a determined and continued effort to get ready for what we know with virtual certainty looms large and threatens us, then we are unfortunately complicit in the tragic downfall that awaits.
(Credit Photo: Hitesh Choudhary via https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-pouring-water-from-dipper-on-blue-and-grey-house-1739855/)
July 23, 2023
They Died So We May Speak
Israelis are a people who are not afraid to speak their minds, and they are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. Regardless of the outcome of the current controversies, I am proud to be a part of the Jewish people, and I am confident that the citizens of the Holy Land will continue to be a beacon of hope for the world.
(Photo adapted from Israel Defense Forces via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1997_Israeli_helicopter_disaster_funeral.jpg)
They Died So We May Speak
July 16, 2023
No More Burning Holy Books
No More Burning Holy Books
July 9, 2023
A Tale of Love, Food, and AI
(Credit Photo: Artem Podrez via https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-eating-unhealthy-food-4728849/)
A Tale of Love, Food, and AI
July 2, 2023
When Politics Gets Personal
(Credit Photo: John Hain via https://pixabay.com/illustrations/fingerprinting-blaming-division-2203448/)
When Politics Gets Personal
June 25, 2023
Putin: Will He Stay or Go?
Putin: Will He Stay or Go?
June 18, 2023
Looking Beyond the Superficial
We are all much more than our physical manifestations in this world, and looks can definitely be deceiving. The most important thing in dealing with ourselves and others is to look beyond the superficial and see each person for who they really are, and G-d’s holy spirit has an outsized role in realizing the potential of who we can be.
(Credit Photo: Activedia via https://pixabay.com/photos/spiritualism-awakening-meditation-4552237/)
Looking Beyond the Superficial
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?
June 4, 2023
The Best of People
When we finally got back to the hotel and my wife was feeling better, I told her how amazed I was with the goodness of these complete strangers that we encountered. I saw people who expressed concern and care for someone they didn't know and for whom they wanted nothing in return.I believe that this is ultimately what life is all about: it's not about the money, the honor, or what we get out of a situation; rather, it's about doing good in the world and savoring G-d's blessing over anything that is material or narcissistic.
The Best of People
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
May 14, 2023
Israel's 3 Stages of Attack
As we are maneuvering closer to the finish line with Iran, we must maintain our ultimate faith in the “Rock of Israel,” as well as continue to be dedicated to defending our people, land, and religion.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Israel's 3 Stages of Attack
May 6, 2023
Israel's Mysterious 7 Watershed Moments
G-d works in mysterious ways, but occasionally He reveals Himself to us to impart His holiness and perfection to the world.
As we know, seven represents the miraculous days of G-d's creation of the heavens and earth and his rest on the holy seventh day of Shabbat. Additionally, in Kabbalah, seven represents the number of lower sephirot, which are the divine manifestations or emanations of G-d present in this world.
We shall see that many of Israel's watershed moments have happened over many decades in years ending in the number seven (7).
Israel's Mysterious 7 Watershed Moments
April 30, 2023
Lets Save Israel Now
(Credit Photo: Cottonbro Studio via https://www.pexels.com/photo/bearded-man-folding-the-flag-of-israel-4033953/)
Lets Save Israel Now
April 23, 2023
Jealous Over Nothing
- 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
Jealous Over Nothing
April 16, 2023
Kosher in Body and Soul
The essence of keeping kosher is not that we just keep the dietary kosher laws and eat only that which G-d commanded is permissible to us, but more so that we feed our spiritual soul with G-d’s manifestation to us and ultimately that we live kosher lives through His wisdom and the performance of good deeds.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Kosher in Body and Soul
April 7, 2023
Lessons From Chabad in Humility This Passover
If we can remove the arrogance from our homes and hearts, then we can be better people: humble, selfless, giving, and standing side by side rather than sitting high and mighty, which only G-d Almighty deserves.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Lessons From Chabad in Humility This Passover
April 2, 2023
If Pharaoh Had AI
In short, the message for Passover isn’t just the tremendous potential of AI for the good or even the threat it poses of becoming too powerful to control, but what happens when the bad guys (dictators, despots, and megalomaniacs), like the Pharaoh of yesteryear, are dangerously using AI to enslave the world to their vision of hate and contempt for democracy, human rights, and freedom for us all?
(Credit Photo: Ilnur Dulyanov via https://pixabay.com/illustrations/square-soldier-green-red-angry-7871431/)
If Pharaoh Had AI
March 26, 2023
The Doctrine of Deterrence Has Failed
Moreover, it’s not enough to just put up a show of some limited and hollow resistance; rather, when we do fight, it must be with our full determination to win. Unfortunately, too often we have gone in militarily with “shock and awe,” but turned abruptly tail in a politically wishy-washy “shame and retreat.” It’s high time to make U.S. deterrence mean something inescapably formidable once again.
(Source Photo via https://www.pexels.com/photo/soldiers-in-line-to-get-in-a-plane-54098/)
The Doctrine of Deterrence Has Failed
March 19, 2023
How a Sticky Situation Taught Me Some Empathy
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "How a Sticky Situation Taught Me Some Empathy."
Thank G-d, he finished the blood draw, and it was over. But as I reflected afterwards, I thought to myself that this guy is just one of probably millions out there who are unhappy with their jobs, their relationships, their lives, and maybe more broadly, the direction things are going in for them.To “move the needle” of the world in the right direction, perhaps we must fundamentally change the order of things so that people are paramount while profit and power are not. What that means is that we don’t tolerate the conditions that lead to tyrants, corruption, and endless greed.
(Credit Photo: Anna Shvets via https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-syringe-3786215/)
How a Sticky Situation Taught Me Some Empathy