Be 💗 Kind
What kind?
The kind that has compassion on others, cares and love them, and does what's right.
That's really the only kind worth being! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
July 7, 2021
May 25, 2021
Tefillin and Talit Bag
It even has a beautiful siddur (prayer book) inside and my Hebrew name on the outside.
I just wanted to thank my wonderful family for this and especially, my son-in-law, Itzchak for ordering this for me from Israel.
I love it, and thank you guys so much!
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 30, 2021
Mount Meron and Hating The "Baseless"
We are all reeling from the devastating deaths of 45 Jews on Lag B'Omer at Mount Meron (and many others critically injured) from a stampede during the bonfire celebration near the grave of the holy Kabbalist, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Last night, we were glued to the new as the body count kept going up. I couldn't help thinking to myself that this is something that happens in the masses of people that gather in India or Saudi Arabia, not in the tiny State of Israel. But lo' and behold, tragedy can strike anywhere, anytime. Life is completely tenuous!So can we draw conclusions that in those days there was baseless hate and so too in our times. I think, while we don't know G-d's ways, certainly from experience and observation, we do know that there is not only baseless hate, but also plenty of "hate the baseless". And what I mean by that is that one type of Jew thinks they are better than another whose beliefs, faith, and observance we denigrate and deem baseless, without support and they without real merit...We are forever driven towards a "Better than thou" attitude and lifestyle. To the religious catcalls of "get out of our neighborhood slut" or the throwing of Shabbat rocks at passing cars. This all has got to stop!
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 17, 2021
Israel Is Tops
In just 73 years, with G-d’s miraculous help, we have a Jewish State that is top-ranked in the entire world: Israel is ranked overall #30 in Best Countries in the World.
In our 4,000 year history as a people, we suffered long and painful exile at the hands of the Babylonian and Roman Empire, but then in 1948, we were given another miraculous chance for the Jewish State of Israel. So far, we are doing great by all measures; now we have to make sure to keep it up for good.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 14, 2021
Preparing for The Third Temple
In essence, the Jewish Temples have been not only physically buried over, but also the site has been historically Islamicized despite the Temple Mount’s intrinsic holiness to all three major religions (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism). In short, this is a very sensitive issue that is likely anchored in facets of intolerance and religious rivalry, as well as pretenses of superiority and dominance, rather than ultimately on the shared connection we have through both our genetic and spiritual lineage as Abraham’s decedents.We absolutely want to have a peaceful and productive coexistence with all people, but just as Israel has risen from the Valley of Dry Bones, so too the day is coming soon when the Jewish Temple will be rebuilt in shinning glory and we can worship G-d just as we did in times before. What will be special about the 3rd Temple is that it will not only be for the Jewish people, but for all the world’s people to come together harmoniously to recognize and worship the one true and faithful G-d of us all. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 23, 2020
Nice Country Hats
On display were some nice, colorful, country-style hats for women.
Head coverings in church, mosque or synagogue, are a way to express modesty and humbleness before G-d.
Also, we cover our hair/head, more generally, to remember that G-d is above us, watching and guiding us always.
Modest, humble, and G-d fearing–a hat is a potent symbol of faith. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 10, 2020
@The Amish Experience
It was a fun time at The Amish Experience today in Lancaster Country, Pennsylvania.
One and a half hour bus tour of Amish country.
45 Minute movie about Jacob, an Amish teen, trying to decide whether he wants to be in the outside world or in the Amish one.
And another hour of so tour of an Amish school house and home.
Felt like I learned a lot about their culture (including no TV, internet, electricity [just batteries and solar], and education only through 8th grade).
Honestly, it doesn't seem like they really have much a choice in whether to choose the church and become Amish or leave, because if they choose to leave they are shunned (i.e. excommunicated)!
So you either choose you family, church, community, and a wife (and there is no divorce) or you run off to G-d knows where completely alone and "divorced" from everything you know.
The video is when we stopped at an Amish farm and I went in to the big barn with all the cows.
After so much time on the bus, I needed to ham it up a little and have fun with:
"How now brown cow. It is so nice to eat you! You are beautiful animals. And thank you Hashem for making you!" ;-)
(Credit Video: Andy and Dossy Blumenthal)
May 23, 2020
The 11th Commandment
How many times do I hear about fellow Jews trying to "out-frum" (i.e. be holier than thou) other Jews: whether it's in terms of Kashrut, Shabbat or even who stayed up the latest for the Passover Seder. Recently, when it came to coronavirus, I was more than a little shocked to read that someone actually attributed the disease to it being a punishment from G-d because women's skirts are not being worn long enough. While certainly it's good to be introspective and there is a strong concept of reward and punishment in Judaism, there is something about us Jews where we tend to want to go a little more and a little farther. In some cases, we are doing "hiddur mitzvah" (beautification of the Mitzvah) which is praiseworthy, but in other cases, we may be adding unnecessary "chumras" (i.e. stringencies) than can backfire religiously. My unequivocal preference is to follow my father's teaching to me of the Rambam's "Shvil Ha'zahav" (i.e. the golden path) and not go too far to the left or to the right, but keep a healthy middle of the road approach to life.
In the end, the number of commandments are what they are, and with 613 throughout the Torah, there is enough to keep us all busy going what is right with G-d and our fellow man. While we may like to overachieve in our careers, our education, and our pedigrees, it is not necessary to try to outdo each other religiously. Religion is a matter between us and Hashem and G-d knows what is in our hearts and counts up all our deeds according to His holy Torah with nothing added and nothing subtracted.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 9, 2020
Synagogue or Sickness?
When I was a kid and my father would {strongly} encourage me to go to synagogue. My father was a man of deep faith and he used to say warningly to me: "It's better to go to synagogue than to the hospital." Obviously, he was implying that if I didn't follow G-d's word, then G-d forbid, he would punish me and instead of going to Shul, I would go to the hospital. Maybe not the best way to teach someone to want to go to prayer services, but I know he meant it out of complete love for me and ultimately for my best.
Yet ironically, now with coronavirus preventing us from practicing the many communal aspects of our faith, so many of us can only but wish that we could just go to synagogue to celebrate the holidays and Shabbat together once again. Unfortunately, for now at least, we don't even have the option to go to synagogue—the choice has been taken from us. G-d willing, hopefully soon, we can once again go—with willingness and love—not only to pray at synagogue, but also to the holy Third Temple in Jerusalem itself.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 14, 2020
Coronavirus Cancels Synagogue
While I understand the rationale to close the synagogues, not to congregate with others and expose ourselves or spread the Coronavirus, I can’t help thinking and believing that what we need now, more than ever, is prayer to Hashem and the mitzvah of Torah study that the synagogue provides to us. Indeed, only in the hands of G-d is the ultimate power of health or illness, and life or death...To me, this Shabbat was not a full Shabbat, because there was no synagogue, no Rabbi’s sermon, no community to talk and share with. I feel robbed of my religion today. I want to be able to go to synagogue and have a real Shabbat. How many other Shabbatot will we have to continue to go through without being able to pray in a minyan, hear the Torah reading, listen to the Rabbi’s speech, and see our community friends?
Many say and I firmly believe that we are on the doorstep of Mashiach and that he is even here among us waiting for the right moment to reveal himself. We’ve survived so much and finally have returned as a people to our homeland of Israel. Now we must survive the final birthing pains of Mashiach and then we will be able to go not only to our synagogues once again, but also to the Temple in Jerusalem to pray and learn at G-d’s very footstep in this earthly world.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 4, 2019
What Makes Happy
Some like big jobs and lots of power.
Others are happier with more work-life balance.
Some like to pursue lots of degrees and certifications.
Others like to learn on their own and through life experience.
Some like to travel the world.
Others like a day in nature or at the museum.
Some like big families and lots of people around them.
Others like smaller families, close friends, intimacy, or even being more on their own.
Some like lots of money.
Other are happy with having what they need.
Some like to be tremendous athletes.
Other like to just stay fit or maybe are more comfy as "couch potatoes."
Some like to be very religious and follow all the laws.
Others prefer mindfulness, a sense of spirituality and being a "good person."
Some like lots of activities and to always do different things.
Others are more comfortable with routine and incremental change.
We all have basic needs, but we also have different values, priorities and comfort zones.
Happiness isn't a yes or no answer, but what makes us feel on track and doing good. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 2, 2019
Jerusalem Center of The World
This beautiful artist and thoughtful map was published in 1581.
It shows the 3 continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa as 3 leaves of a clovers with Jerusalem at the center.
Jerusalem, Israel is the focus, nexus and crossroad between these 3 worlds of Western, Asian, and African civilizations.
Israel is so multi-cultural and holy to the 3 major monotheistic religions of the world (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism).
Light, healing, peace, and prosperity should emanate from Jerusalem to the whole world and G-d should bless us from his heavenly abode. ;-)
(Source Photo: Wikipedia)
February 24, 2019
Interfaith Movie Today
The movie is about a Palestinian woman who becomes “the first woman judge in a Shari’a ‘family law’ court.”
Let's just say it wasn't easy for her to break into this male-dominated profession within institutionalized religion in the Middle East.
Thinking in an interfaith way, I guess it's maybe not so dissimilar to women breaking into the profession of the Rabbinate.
Another similarity between the religions was that there were many Islamic religious leaders that were very conservative and dead set against women in the Shari'a courts, while others stood up against the tide and inspired change--I think we have similar disagreements in Judaism between the ultra-orthodox who want to stick with the "old" historical ways of doing things, and the more liberal Jews that seek the freedom to alter those ways.
During the movie, there were some interesting take-aways like under Shariah law, men are allowed up to 4 wives!
Another funny line in the movie was when one of the men said that the men never make trouble for the women (i.e. it's all the women's fault).
In the court cases filmed, there seemed to be a lot of cases of domestic violence and of divorce, and in one case in particular the wife was actually stabbed to death in the court house by her husband who she was trying to get a divorce from.
Overall, it felt good to attend the event and try to be a part of the healing process between people.
The event was sponsored by the Jewish-Islamic Dialogue Society (JIDS) of Washington, D.C.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 15, 2019
Shabbat Shalom!
January 1, 2019
Miracles of Charity and Faith
What better way to welcome in the New Year of 2019 then with some inspirational true stories about amazing people and their faith in G-d and doing what's right. Recently, I saw firsthand from some special people, the miracles that happen when one is charitable and sticks to ones beliefs.
As my father always taught me about G-d and doing what's right: "Stick to your convictions!" ;-)
(Source Photo of this amazing Tzedakah (charity) box in Israel: Minna Blumenthal)
December 16, 2018
My First Interfaith Event
The first lady that I spoke to said that she wasn't any one religion.
When I asked more about this, she said:
The core to all religions is Rachamim (mercy, compassion) and Ahavah (love).
Pictured above are the table seating cards that directed people to sit next to people of other religions: Jewish, Muslim, Other.
The event was led by the One America Movement, and the Director, Andrew Hanauer spoke very well about bridging what divides us.
Here are some of the take-a-ways:
- We need to address the divisiveness, polarization, and conflict.
- Remember that we are talking with other human beings and not with labels.
- Polarization is not just issues, but devolves into identity--"I hate your stupid face!"
- But we are all human beings (and children of G-d).
- Republicans and Democrats each say that the other is 20% less human than they are.
- We all have our own "facts": My facts vs. Your Facts.
- We attribute good that happens to us as being because of "us," but bad that happens to us because of "them."
- Similarly, we believe that we act out of love, but they act out of hate--and:
- We interpret threats to our viewpoints (political and otherwise), as threats to our groups and to ourselves.
- Try to remove binary thinking (right and wrong, left and right, etc.), critique your own point of view, and share doubts
- Reconciliation: If we can cross the divide, have open dialogue, and positive interactions with each others, and develop cross-cutting identities then we will make it easier to counter divisive narratives, solve problems, and reduce violence.
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
November 17, 2018
Striving To Be Good Enough (This Time Around)
I too believe strongly in reincarnation. I think that is partially what G-d means by doing justice in this world. If you bomb out in life and don't fulfill your true potential than G-d sends you back for another try. And this can happen as many times as it takes to get it right!
I hope I am getting it right in my life this time around. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 6, 2018
The Diversity Tapestry
"We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value, no matter what their color [or race, or origin, or religion, or age, or gender, or sexual orientation, or disability]."
Ok, I added the "or" statements at the end.
But the point is the same and important.
Discrimination, bigotry, prejudice, and bias are stupid.
They are a function of ignorance.
- We learn from diversity.
- Life is richer with diversity.
If everything was in monocolor...if life was homogeneous...if there was only one type of everything, then what type of humdrum, monotonous, and boring place would this be?
Value the variety. Value the diversity. Value the differences.
They make us better and stronger than we could ever otherwise be. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 22, 2017
Israel Style
What I really liked was seeing it up close and not from the back of a tour bus.
After just a day or so, I started to feel like I was really experiencing life here.
Crossing Menachem Begin Road, we ran into these fashion-conscious ladies.
The colorful clothes and hair, the tall blue shoes, the ripped leggings of the women on the left definitely stood out.
Juxtaposed is the lady on the right in the black dress, short haircut, bag, and glasses.
This pair was a standout!
In a way, I miss the Holy lifestyle of Jerusalem here in Tel Aviv, but at the same time, I like the cosmopolitan and modern life here too.
Anyway, I feel like I am learning a lot and enjoying experiencing culture and religion Israel-style.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 7, 2017
Where Does Organized Religion Go Wrong
I believe, He is my creator and sustainer and that we are here to learn and grow our soul before it goes back to Hashem.
Yet often, like so many others now-a-days, I find organized religion to be a turn-off.
Why?
1) There is a consistency and sincerity problem.
To some people, I believe it's partially the rote and robotic nature of some of the practices--where we just do it, because we are told to do it, and we do it over and over and time after time, again--even when we don't feel it in the moment, and even if we do other things that are not so right in other areas of our lives.
In contrast perhaps, there can be more spontaneous and genuine feelings and actions, in the moment and every moment--that come from the heart and the soul of the person and directly to G-d--and they are consistent whether we are in a religious setting to how we treat others and how we act in business.
In other words, we just don't follow the rules, but we live them fully and integrated with ourselves and all situations we find ourselves in.
2) There is a money and power problem.
In some religious environments, all people are not created equal or treated equal. Instead, the say, the attention, and the honor goes to the powerful and the rich, who are courted for their donations and their votes to the institution and the spiritual leader. Who gets talked up? Who is given the honors at the religious rituals, at the events and the dinners, and with their communal "peers"?
In other cases, it's not just money and power that talks, but who is outwardly the "most religious" and presumably walks the walk. If you but "seem" more religious than the next guy, then you are elevated and exalted in the religious community.
Instead, what happened to welcoming and caring for everyone--to everyone being children of G-d--to each person having a soul and their personal life challenges. Why can't we treat everyone as religiously worthwhile and give everyone a chance to learn and grow in their own way from their starting point and to their destination?
Religion should be the one place that isn't a competition with others.
Religion is ultimately between man and G-d!
And only G-d knows what is inside man's heart and in his soul--and what his actions really are all the time and what they truly mean in context and in essence.
I welcome G-d in my life, because I:
- Have faith in Him and that ultimately He has a master plan and that everything is for the good
- Love Him for giving me the chance to learn and grow my soul to be better
- Fear Him for when I do something wrong in my life and need a course correction
I wish for a time and transformation when religion would not just be based on outward manifestations but on being sincere and consistent in people's lives, and where people would no longer be superficially judged and (mis)treated because they are themselves and on their G-d given paths.
If only we could religiously love, rather than endlessly judge, each other, oh what a heartfelt and inspiring religion that would be. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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