June 5, 2022

Great Gesundheit Tissues

 

Great Gesundheit Tissues.

German for good health,

Take a tissue and wish a gensundheit to your neighbor!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Share/Save/Bookmark

June 4, 2022

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)

Share/Save/Bookmark

June 3, 2022

Smiley Pillow

Nice homey smiley pillow.

If he's happy then I'm happy!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


Share/Save/Bookmark

June 2, 2022

Great Hippie Pants

Gorgeous flower hippie pants. 

Flair leg.

Nice job Urban Outfitters.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

 


Share/Save/Bookmark

May 31, 2022

Butterfly Mug

Thought this was a beautiful butterfly mug.

Rainbow wings and hand painted. 

There is always another mug whether you drink coffee or not.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal
 


Share/Save/Bookmark

May 30, 2022

1,000 Days of Duolingo

Wow, thank you Hashem!

1,000 days trying to learn Hebrew. 

I still have such a long way to go. 

But as they say, it's the journey.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


Share/Save/Bookmark

May 29, 2022

@Landmade Brewing

Pretzels and hot mustard.

And a Lillie Beer just to taste. 

Lillie is an Italian Pilsner bittered with Hallertau Mittelfruh and dry-hopped with Saphir and force carbonated.
Not sure what that all means, but the beer was tasty.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)


Share/Save/Bookmark

Zionism of Strength and Humility

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Zionism of Strength and Humility."

I sometimes get very scared when we don’t give Hashem the proper credit for our incredible accomplishments and military successes, but rather we talk about our own “self-reliance.” To a certain extent, the calls for self-reliance is understandable amidst broad-based anti-Semitism in the world, calls for Boycotts, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel, and near constant United Nations resolutions again us. Of course, in these circumstances and with our history of suffering persecution, pogroms, and Holocaust, we may look to insulate and protect ourselves from the world’s incessant and irrational hatred of Jews.
Most importantly though, we have to recognize that G-d is in charge. As a small people in a tiny (albeit marvelous) land, surrounded by enemies, we can never forget that remaining sovereign over Israel and defeating our enemies that rise up against us time and again is nothing but completely miraculous. Our enemies are 1,000 to 1 against us, and yet G-d makes them run from before us.

(Source Photo: IDF; https://www.flickr.com/photos/idfonline/51131344223/in/album-72157719004030432/)
Share/Save/Bookmark

May 26, 2022

Retro Skates

Check out these retro roller skates. 

That's a blast from the past. 

Nice blue wheels and rainbow swoosh!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
 


Share/Save/Bookmark

May 25, 2022

Silverware Dancer


Wow, thought this was incredibly talented. 

This illustration was in the mall for a local high school art exhibit.

This dancer's pink dress is made of plastic cutlery (spoons, folks, knives). 

Such creativity and flawless execution of the design concept that you almost don't realize how this is put together. 

It's brilliantly done!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


 


Share/Save/Bookmark

May 24, 2022

Tips Jar

Sense of humor when it comes to asking for tips.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


Share/Save/Bookmark

May 23, 2022

Rainbow Ices

Great rainbow ices on a very hot day!

Also, nice lime green sunflower cup.

The only challenge was the long line under the sun and humidity.

Shaving the big ice cube apparently takes some time. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


Share/Save/Bookmark

May 22, 2022

@Maryland Iron Festival (Catoctin Furnace)


Fascinating to listen to stories from this former miner at the Maryland Iron Festival, near Cunningham Falls State Park. 

Learned about the incredibly tough and dangerous working conditions in the mines. 

He said everyone he knew who worked in the mines is already dead. 

Working hundreds of feet underground, in the pitch black and dust, in cramped spaces of only 30" high, and with dangerous mining tools and explosives all for $75 per day. 

This song is about the miners protesting for better wages and safer working conditions. 

And if not, no more "fire in the hole!"  ;-)

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Share/Save/Bookmark

May 21, 2022

Measuring Success Like G-d

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Measuring Success Like G-d."
Never more than today are we living lives of total excess. This week, we saw a Mercedes-Benz 1995 car sell for a record-breaking $142 million. Last month in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, authorities seized a Russian oligarch’s $793 million mega yacht. And this last year, Morgan Stanley predicted that Elon Musk may eventually become the world’s first trillionaire.
In a world where marketing, sales, advertising, branding, and the media all seek to convince us that life is essentially about “things,” self-satisfaction, the next high, and happiness, we can easily forget how transient and valueless all that really is. Inside each of us though there is a deeper, true voice that seeks a life of real meaning, purpose and immortality, where faith, compassion, giving, and self-sacrifice is the true measure of our character and the ultimate gauge of life success.

(Source Photo: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/smiley-emoticon-greed-822993/)

Share/Save/Bookmark

May 20, 2022

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!   ;-)


Share/Save/Bookmark

May 19, 2022

Awesome Torah Turtle

We went to a beautiful playground dedication at Chabad. 

Aside from the lavish and colorful playground, they had a trampoline, petting zoo, and BBQ for Lag B'Omer. 

This was Torah Turtle (my name for him) at the event. 

What an amazing shell and such a cool animal.

Turtles are a definite favorite!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


Share/Save/Bookmark

May 18, 2022

Big Blue Plates


Wow, those are some BIG blue stone plates.

Also, like the blue ocean and shells as the backdrop on the wall. 

Favorite color is BLUE!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


Share/Save/Bookmark

May 17, 2022

Cookies and Cupcakes

Love this selection of cookies and cupcakes. 

Colorful and plenty of smiles!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)


Share/Save/Bookmark

May 16, 2022

That's a Hairdo

Wow you can get your hair all spiky and tall. 

And choose your color: blue, pink, or yellow. 

Who doesn't want to have that much hair again.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


Share/Save/Bookmark

May 15, 2022

The Tragic Comedy of the “Anti-Zionist Synagogue”

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Tragic Comedy of the 'Anti-Zionist Synagogue'."

Recently in the Forward, I read about this “synagogue,” Tzedek Chicago, that has the tragic distinction of being the first anti-Zionist synagogue in America. They claim that they are all about justice, as their name “Tzedek” supposedly implies, and as their website values states:

"…the creation of an ethnic Jewish nation state in historic Palestine resulted in an injustice against the Palestinian people, an injustice that continues to this day."

However, the facts do not match the rhetoric. Anti-Zionism, regardless of the source is ultimately about Jew hatred.

(Screenshot from @margoexplainsitall on Instagram reel at https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcBMN1bFfpU/)
Share/Save/Bookmark