Clearly, from the President on down to each and every one of us, we can be certain that none of us is perfect. However, G-d put us here, precisely, to have the opportunity to repair our imperfections. In this earthly world, our soul is tested, and we thereby have the opportunity to come out stronger and better because of it. The challenges in this world provide the "purification by fire" that our souls need to elevate themselves from past mistakes or imperfections. In essence, G-d in his ultimate benevolence — of love, kindness, and giving — bestows on us, His children, the chance to learn and grow and to realize our potential!
In short, while our elections leave us a lot to be desired in terms of the candidates for the highest office of this great land, we can see from the presidential candidates on down to the citizens of this country and to those around the world that there is both shortcomings and the potential for becoming the people that G-d knows we can really be.
Now this doesn't speak very well of our leadership.
What about the one's that have decades in office, and the time is used for their own selfish purposes and not for the people?
Where power and money is the purpose rather than advancing social well-being.
Where personal and party agendas are the playbill rather than doing what is right, plain and simple.
Where scoring points against your adversary or completely taking them down is the strategy rather than reaching out and working hand-in-hand to achieve our nation's greatness.
We have fallen a long way from what I would imagine the founding fathers had in mind for this great democracy.
Perhaps, the biggest problem is that we have stopped even trying. ;-)
You don't have to be crazy to work here, we'll train you.
Some places they hire the crazies and other they train them to be crazy.
Perhaps, it's a bad culture or some bad applies, but either way they can turn good, caring employees into some more crazies to add to the office's bunch of bananas.
Fortunate is s/he who works in a normal, good workplace and can do "a decent day's work for a decent day's pay." ;-)
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Forever Together: Peace and Security."
For Israel, we’re turning the corner towards peace and how wonderful it is, yet even as we do, we must never relax on the safety and security of our people.
Yes, in earnest, we hope for peace, we crave it, and we even sacrifice (sometimes painfully) for it, but also we know that we must safeguard that peace and our lives though the best, most advanced and relentless security, in case that often illusive and miraculously achieved peace at any time fails or falters. Strength, along with undying faith in the Almighty, is the constant and enduring safeguard of the peace that we so yearn for with our every fiber. This is why peace and security must always go hand-in-hand together.
The sunflowers provide warmth and happiness for the honor of these special and spiritual days!
May Hashem in His abundant mercy grant us a full healing and peace to welcome the Shabbat and to celebrate this weekend a joyous Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
It’s so important to develop mastery over the whole life sequence: think nice thoughts, speak kind words, do good deeds, and develop positive habits. This is one of the secrets to life itself.
Life is often in the hands of our tongue–one stupid word and it can mean your head, and one smart thing and it can be, with G-d’s help, your ride to the stars!
Indeed, controlling your words, like controlling your desires, temper, and so on is a constant challenge we all face throughout life. Yes, it’s easy to just let oneself go, but the consequences can be severe for shooting off your mouth, acting stupid, or getting angry. We can get better with patience, time, and practice. We can become better, stronger people. We can learn to guard not only our tongue, but our temperament and deeds, and live a better, and perhaps even a longer life for it. ;-)
Sukkot is the Jewish Festival of Shelter and of Ingathering.
In these challenging times of coronavirus and before this eventful election, more than usual, we need G-d’s blessings to shelter and protect us, and to bless both the United States of America and the State of Israel that they should be safe for all of us and that the “ingathering” be not only of the harvest, but of all the exiles from the four corners of the earth to G-d’s Promised Land for the final redemption.
If you thought the Presidential Debates couldn't get any worse than 2016 with "Crooked Hillary."
Last Night with "Sleepy Joe" hit rock bottom!
From BOTH candidates, the lack of coherent answers, coupled with constant interruptions, yelling, put downs, and name-calling was so completely discouraging and disgusting.
Came away feeling like we were at a Mixed Martial Arts tournament rather a Presidential Debate for the United States of America.
What has happened to our great nation?
We are becoming the laughing stock to the entire world.
If we can't conduct ourselves with dignity, courtesy, respect, and integrity towards each other, how can we lead this country, let alone the world?
May G-d help us to find our footing again, to unite around the noble principles and values of freedom, diversity, equality, democracy, capitalism, and human rights for which this country was founded, and change the awful political sinkhole of divisiveness, strife, and sheer indecency that we are caught in. ;-)
Instead of worrying about accumulating earthly and material treasures: money, houses, cars, exotic travel, and more, we would be well advised to pay attention to our Heavenly treasure that we should be accumulating. Whether tomorrow, when our judgement will be sealed on Yom Kippur or when we, G-d forbid, die and are called for an accounting before our Maker, we should have plenty in the spiritual bank to speak well for us.
However, even if we are a little blind to our own accounting, certainly, just like we don’t want to be physically poor or bankrupt in this world, we definitely don’t want to be coming spiritually empty at Yom Kippur or when we arrive in the world to come. Put in more than you take out! Much more if you can! That’s what every parent should teach their child about their bank or brokerage savings account, building healthy relationships with others, and most importantly, how to live our lives towards our Father in Heaven and the King of the Universe.
Men and women of many religions cover their hair for modesty. 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)
Life size scary-looking Jack In The Box at Home Depot. When this clown dude pops out, you'll sh*t your pants. And who really wants to be more scared in this world anyway? With Covid, Cancer, Corruption, Cyber Attacks, Identity Theft, Radicalism, Terrorism, War, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Loss and Death, Environmental issues, and the Economy don't we have enough to be afraid of already? ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Ok, so these are shoes that go with everything. They got color, the got height, and they got pizazz! But can you walk in them and not fall on your face? Only the graceful survive! ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
For two thousand years, the Jewish people exiled from their land, widely dispersed, and inhumanly persecuted among the nations developed passivity and learned helplessness. They eagerly awaited, year after year, G-d’s salvation and redemption. As a tiny minority attempting to hold firm to their religious beliefs amongst the world’s powerful majorities, the Jews found themselves a convenient scapegoat, suffering landlessness and joblessness, taxation to the point of near-starvation, conscription of their Jewish children for military service of 25-years, forced conversion on pain of torture and death, horrible violent pogroms that sparred no one, and expulsions from country after country. During these times, the Jewish people learned passivity in the hope of not inflaming the hate and anger of the goyim that would make things “even worse!”
Certainly, there is no mitzvah to being passive and helpless, and this was undoubtedly in large measure a result of being homeless and suffering under the weight of relentless and brutal anti-Semitism for 2,000 years. Yet, as we each roll up our sleeves to actively work and fight for the modern State of Israel, our independence, and our right to practice our religion freely, we must do so with full knowledge and thanksgiving to G-d, our creator and sustainer! Whether King David against the giant Goliath, Samson against the mighty Philistines, or our modern-day strong and brave soldiers in the IDF defending the borders of Israel from historical enemies’ roundabout, they stand strong against all the natural odds, because G-d stands right there with them and us.
I know in the olden days they would chop off people's hands for stealing. But this sign in a modern day store in America seemed just a little severe:
Shoplifters will be amputated
The worst part of it maybe is that they don't say what part of the shoplifter will be amputated. So much for compassion and helping the needy. L-rd have mercy! ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Everything is so automated these days. Here's a hydraulic oil machine. And you see no people. Just some blue gloves. If you look long enough, perhaps you'll see the gloves move and work the machine all by themselves. That's the magic of automation and computerization. Say hi gloves! ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumnethal)
Is there a leader in the house? Anyone, anyone a leader here... I need to find a leader. Someone who I can look up to. Who feels deeply, compassionately, and honestly cares about others. With faith and integrity, and who does the right thing, regardless. They inspire, rarely tire, and seek to make us all more than we otherwise are. Imbued with discerning insight and an ageless wisdom. Carrying forth a great vision, and a path and passion to get us there. They bring unity, and stand alongside each and every one of us. Never an autocrat, a bureaucrat, or a stinkin' rat. Just someone who is a genuine leader. ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Garden of Five Senses in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I hear it and I see it, but I can barely believe it. I can touch it, and I can even taste it, but that's going too far. I can smell it, but in a good way. ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
This bread pudding was to die for. So much rich sweet cinnamon sauce and cream. OMG! If you only eat one of these in your life... A little heaven here on earth. ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
You can dance if you want to. Even if you're a purple thingamajig. You can leave your friends behind. Cause your friends don't dance, and if they don't dance. Then they're no friends of mine. Dance purple thingamajig, dance! ;-) (Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we know that everything is in the hands of G-d, including life and death, but there is no question that President Trump has been an instrument of the Almighty in delivering genuine and consistent support—recognition, annexation, aid, sanctioning our enemies, fighting BDS, anti-Semitism, and biased resolutions, and the advancement of peace—to Israel and for the Jewish people.
What the New Year and the upcoming election brings, no one knows, but Hashem. However, let us recognize the good and thank President Trump for everything that he has done for Israel and the Jewish people, and let us pray that G-d brings us continued blessings for the upcoming Jewish year of 5781 and beyond towards our final redemption.
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!" ;-)
This display in Home Depot was like the Duracell vs. Energizer dual to the death for batteries. Which one wins? The whisper is that Duracell beats Energizer close to 2 to 1 for most things. Whether or not that's true, the Energizer rabbit "keeps going and going" while the Duracell is copper-topped. Copper? Bunny? Bunny is cuter! ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
It's great when laundry goes from smelly and dirty to fresh and clean! Some nice refreshing laundry detergent is just what's needed. When the detergent comes in big, bright bottles like here, then it's even a more inviting experience. Clean laundry, clean mind, clean mouth way to go! ;-) (Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Andy Blumenthal is Deputy Program Director at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Blumenthal is a dynamic, award-winning leader with over 35 years of experience delivering results across the public and private sectors. All opinions are his own.