When it comes to strangers, it’s almost easier to put on a face, act all proper, and do what’s right because they aren’t our family, thus Avraham could run to help the strangers. Yet, when it comes to our own families, we don’t feel it necessary to keep up pretenses. We sometimes say and do things to family that we would likely never say to or do in front of strangers, like Avraham telling Hagar and Ishmael to get out! We may even betray and hurt the ones we love, like when Avraham said Sarah was his sister putting her at jeopardy with Avimelekh. Further, we “sacrifice” our children and spouses by putting our work (sometimes 24/7), social media, and our own brand and needs first, and don’t adequately pay attention to what’s really going on with our families, their needs, aspirations, and troubles; for example, Avraham was going to sacrifice Isaac, his and Sarah’s only child and “the son of her old age.” We take for granted and even advantage of our families, because we can. And some at the further bad end of the spectrum, “go home and kick the dog!” Yes, the pictures that everyone posts on Facebook and Instagram are what people want you to see and think about them (their personal brand): that everything’s all rosy and they have the perfect lives and families, but I venture to guess that often, it’s far from the reality of what goes on “behind closed doors.”All of us need to pay attention and do what’s right not only when we want to look good in front of others, but knowing that even in our own homes, G-d is watching what we do and how we treat each other.
October 23, 2021
Love Your Family As The Stranger
October 22, 2021
Lime Green Bowl
The lime green floating in the waves of this glass is amazing.
Never thought I'd be mesmerized by anything green that wasn't in nature! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Lime Green Bowl
October 21, 2021
Buddha Planter
Beautiful purple flowers coming right from Buddha's head.
Serene in so many ways! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Buddha Planter
October 20, 2021
Politically Incorrect Ointment
Didn't think any legitimate product would actually be named "Butt Paste."
Can you imagine going up to the pharmacist and asking:
Do you have any butt paste?
Pharmacist:
Oh yes, it's in Aisle 7. Do you want me to show you where it is?
Now, we're really going down a rabbit's hole! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Politically Incorrect Ointment
October 19, 2021
Choose A Doll
Unfortunately, these remind me of Stephen King's Children of the Corn.
Watch out grown ups, they're coming for yoooou! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Choose A Doll
October 18, 2021
Weight Discrepancy
Net effect is similar to the Titanic.
What is that cute little dog make a poop like that?
Sh*t flows downhill, as they say. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Weight Discrepancy
October 17, 2021
Moving Me Down The Highway
It's living.
Sun, sand, and surf.
And a nice pair of wheels doesn't hurt. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Moving Me Down The Highway
October 15, 2021
Our World of Fake News
Fake news about Israel and the Jews continues to proliferate from many mainstream news sources that have sold out to the devil any credibility, they may have one had. Whether it’s the “Failing New York Times,” “Fake News CNN” or any other of the notorious media sources that are alleged to report biased, tainted news, unfortunately, it seems like a virtual non-stop barrage of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic spewing. It may be overt or more subtle, but there are organizations like Honest Reporting that are tracking and calling out the false news reporting for the lies that they are.Whether it’s 1984 “Big Brother” telling you what to think and do or the media twisting the truth so that’s unrecognizable anymore, this is dangerous not only to the Jews as scapegoats, but to the souls, freedom and future of our world.
Our World of Fake News
October 14, 2021
Fun Cars To Pretend
Sporty and colorful.
Fun to pretend to drive.
Just like a big person.
Watch the speeding please! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Fun Cars To Pretend
October 13, 2021
VW Love Van
The Hippie generation knew just how to make them gorgeous.
Peace, Love, Rock and Roll!
And the rainbow streaks and flowers for added good cheer.
If VW would make these already with the paint job with all this expression, I bet they would sell like hotcakes! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
VW Love Van
October 12, 2021
Eye Earrings
The eyes even have these cool eyelashes!
We got the eyes (I's) and the heart (love)—where's the you?
Maybe we give the earrings to "you" and then it's I love you! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
Eye Earrings
October 11, 2021
October 10, 2021
The Mother of all Cactus Needles
When I checked out from the store with this deadly plant, the cashier oulls the cactus from the shopping cart and gets one of the pins stuck right in her finger.
It was just sort of caught there with the other end hanging out a couple of inches from her finger.
A little shocked and not sure what to say, I just sort of stumbled "Oh, Are you okay? I so sorry!"
She said she was and reached over and plucked the needle out holding her hand limply in the other.
On the way home then, this guy says to me, "you better not sit on that thing."
Ah yeah, you're not kidding! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Mother of all Cactus Needles
October 9, 2021
Light at the End of The Ark
Why was Noah commanded to build a skylight in the ark?
Noah and all the fascinating people in the Bible weren’t just characters in a novel, but they were real people and they experienced up and downs, as we all do in life. The key to remember is that there is always a window where we can see our relative good fortune and everything we have to be grateful for, where we can keep an eye on the light at the end of tunnel (as my father used to say about bad things, “this too shall pass”), and we can look up to our Father in Heaven and remember that He will bring deliverance to us. Even in the mightiest of floods that devastated the world, G-d was still there for us, and He was, is, and always will be!
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Light at the End of The Ark
October 8, 2021
He Who Saves A Life
We all know the Jewish dictum of “He who save a life, saves the world.” In Judaism, every single life is invaluable, and hence we are even allowed to violate the holy Shabbat for the preservation of human life (“Pikuach Nefesh“). Similarly, when it came to a prisoner exchange for IDF Sargent first Class, Gilad Shalit, who had been held by Hamas terrorists for five years (2006-2011), Israel exchanged1,027 Palestinians in a prisoner exchange for Shalit. Life is truly sacred to the Jewish people.
This week, I had the opportunity to meet and hear from members of Israel Air Force’s Elite Search and Rescue, Unit 669, at Magen David Synagogue in Rockville, Maryland. There I was reminded of the brave Israeli soldiers who not only defend the holy land and people of Israel, but also who are there to search for missing soldiers and rescue them and civilians “regardless of location or conditions” when faced with war, terrorism, or other disaster. Soldiers from unit 669 go into every possible dangerous situation, and under fire, to save lives at whatever cost to themselves.
He Who Saves A Life
Beautiful Bonsai Tree
The way it is on one hand natural and on the other hand "sculpted" by people.
Sort of a metaphor for life, where G-d gives us the raw material and asks us to go do good with it.
G-d creates and people shape that creation.
Beautiful partnership makes a beautiful Bonsai! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Beautiful Bonsai Tree
October 7, 2021
Pineapple Umbrella Drinks
Has pineapple slices hanging off the sides.
A big plastic straw and don't forget the umbrella on top of a grape.
I think they said that they paid $27 for two.
It's a bargain! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Pineapple Umbrella Drinks
October 6, 2021
Hat of Hats
It's not one hat but 10 different hats on the rim of one.
Now that will go with every outfit! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Hat of Hats
October 5, 2021
Fish of the Sea
One pupil at the bottom must have missed a few days of school, because he's going in the wrong direction.
Always, an odd fish out! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Fish of the Sea
October 4, 2021
October 2, 2021
True Meaning of Torah Observant
True Meaning of Torah Observant
October 1, 2021
September 30, 2021
A Soul-Stirring Holocaust Memorial
As we recently completed the Jewish high holidays between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a time of Judgment, and we ask G-d to forgive us, so we are told that we are asked to forgive others. However, can we ever really forgive the magnitude and cruelty of this genocidal crime to the Jewish people? I don’t think that is really humanly possible to forgive the premeditated and scientifically executed, brutal murder of a third of all Jews in the entire world. However, I do thank the artist, Wolfgang Stiller for his sentiments with the Magen David to remember and never forget the Holocaust, and most importantly, to never let it happen again! Finally, my hope is that this artwork memorializing the Holocaust finds a suitable home in perhaps Yad Vashem or other major Holocaust museum or exhibition where people can broadly experience and benefit from the important sentiments conveyed.
A Soul-Stirring Holocaust Memorial
September 29, 2021
True Self Is Helping Others
The Rebbe’s message was that self-improvement was really about helping others! All the changes we commit to around the Jewish New Year and make in ourselves is not really about us, but rather about us being able to develop ourselves in order to “give it all away” to help others. Too often, people think in terms of self-help, self-improvement, where everything is sort of in terms, well, ourselves–my looks, my degrees, my career, my bank account, my family, and so on. However, people should not lose sight that everything that Hashem gives us is really for a higher spiritual purpose, for giving to others or “paying it forward.”
In this vein, we learn Torah not just for the sake of learning, but rather in order to actually do Mitzvot! Rabbi Kaplan explained that the Rebbe would make each and every person feel special and important. Why? Because by building up the individual, each could then go out and build up the world. And this is one of the reasons that I love and respect Chabad so much—from my experience, people like Rabbi Kaplan and Chabad in general, are all about living this life lesson from the Rebbe and giving, giving, and then giving some more in order to really improve the Jewish community globally and by extension the world.
True Self Is Helping Others
September 28, 2021
September 27, 2021
Taste Like Nothing
What does it taste like?
The boba [taste] is like nothing!
Can you put in a lot of boba?
Tea sweet, but no more boba.
Why?
Because it's nothing.
But if it's nothing, why can't you put in some more?
It's tapioca, but it taste like nothing and I can only put in a handful.
Ok, give me some Thai tea with the boba in it.
Are you sure? It tastes like nothing.
Yes, yes, yes. I love boba with nothing taste, just make sure the tea is plenty sweet!
Taste Like Nothing
September 26, 2021
September 25, 2021
Turning Nakba to Babka
The term Nakba, in relation to Israel, was actually was first used in August 1948 by Syrian Professor Constantin Zureiq not to condemn anything Israel did to the Palestinians, but rather is a call for the Arabs themselves whereby:
We must admit our mistakes…and recognize the extent of our responsibility for the disaster that is our lot.The displacement of the Palestinians and their refugee problem is attributed not primarily to Israel, but rather to the mistakes that the Palestinians and Arabs made themselves! So, while, the Arabs and Palestinians have tried to make Israel into the aggressor and blame them for their troubles, the truth of the matter is that the Palestinians Nakba is to a great extent caused by their own religious intolerance, gross hatred of the Jews, including the desire for their genocide, and that this has led them down a true disastrous path of Middle East recklessness and extremely bad decision making, over and over again.
The goods news is that in more recent times, the Arab nations are thank G-d changing their hostile approach to Israel and instead moving to make peace. Not only Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1993), but in the last year with the Abraham Accords with both the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, as well as with Sudan and Morocco normalizing relations with Israel. Even this morning, I was amazed once again to read an editorial in the Wall Street Journal calling for Iraq to join the Abraham Accords too! Of course, the hope is that more and more Arab countries as well as the Palestinians will choose the path of peace and collaboration with Israel, as Ben-Gurion had originally held out to them in 1948 (it’s never too late). The prophetic vision of swords turning to ploughshares is perhaps today’s turning of the shedding of tears and assigning blame over a perceived Nakba into sitting down together on Sukkot for a nice piece (peace) of chocolate babka!
Turning Nakba to Babka
September 23, 2021
Gourds Everywhere
Colorful, plentiful, decorative, and some edible.
Pumpkin pie is an example! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Gourds Everywhere
September 22, 2021
Two Flutes Are Better Than One
Now, I know there are people that can play two flutes at once.
The real trick would be to be able to play three! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Two Flutes Are Better Than One
September 21, 2021
What She Smoking?
So is it a smoke or a ticking time bomb?
Or maybe she's just trying to look cool.
Nope~Kaboom! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
What She Smoking?
September 20, 2021
In Case Of Emergency
Break glass and eat chocolate.
Always keep a large Hershey's Chocolate around just in case! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
In Case Of Emergency
September 19, 2021
Unstoppable Fear Meets Immovable Humiliation
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is really about fear vs. humiliation. The Jews are fearful of the Palestinians and the Palestinians feel humiliated by the Jews. The Jewish people collectively suffer post-traumatic stress and anxiety disorders after millennia of persecution culminating in the Holocaust and multiple Wars in Israel against far greater Arab forces. Further, this has been perpetuated by decades of terrorism and Intifadas that have left the Jews feeling vulnerable in their own land of Israel. The net effect of this Jewish history and of being surrounded by hundreds of millions of Arabs, many resentful and angry, is that Jews are naturally afraid. At the same time, the Palestinians, as part of the greater Arabs, feel humiliated after the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the carving up of their lands by the West and the colonialism and occupation that followed by Britain and France. More recently, the Palestinians feel humiliated by the founding of the State of Israel amidst the multitude of Arab lands of the Middle of East, as well as by the barrier wall and regular checkpoints that protects Israel from terrorist intruders, by the West Bank settlements (and actually by Jews anywhere in Israel), and by general Israeli military control over the territories.There is hope that in time and with G-d's help, the opposing forces of fear and humiliation will weaken and thereby become less oppositional. At that miraculous time, please G-d in the near future, the factors that prior resulted in a cosmic explosion of war, terror, Jihad, and Intifada will dissipate. Then instead of suicide bombers and terror tunnels and walls and checkpoints, we can have hope for the arrival of a beautiful white dove with an olive branch of peace that knows no bitter boundaries of Jew or Palestinian anymore.
Unstoppable Fear Meets Immovable Humiliation
September 17, 2021
Watch Your Feet
Spikes, ouch!
Luckily, I don't think they're sharp.
But they could be. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Watch Your Feet
September 15, 2021
Virtual Car Driving Into Garage
Go ahead, drive it on down.
Good luck finding a spot.
Take a ticket and stop to pay at the machine before you head out.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Virtual Car Driving Into Garage
September 14, 2021
That's Such Bull
How gorgeous honey, simply gorgeous! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
That's Such Bull
September 13, 2021
All The Presidents Men
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
All The Presidents Men
September 12, 2021
More Daring than a Prison Break
Unlike the Jews that came as refugees from the horrors of the concentration camps and expelled from a multitude of the Arab nations, the Palestinians have been supported all this time by the Arab League, the United Nations, and the West capitulating to Arab oil dependence and ongoing fight against an encroaching Russia in the Middle East. There is no question that the Palestinians have squandered billions of dollars in aid, spent decades engrossed in terror, maintained unrealistic goals to “have it all,” and passed over many chances for achieving their people’s autonomy. If only their efforts at building tunnels to escape from prison as well as to get into Israel and attack, murder, and kidnap innocents would be channeled instead toward building solid institutions to advance the governing of their people, educating and growing prosperity, and living in freedom and peace, side-by-side with their neighbor, Israel.
While I am sure that there are many good Palestinians who are deserving of autonomy and opportunity, unfortunately, their corrupt leaders and terrorists have been brainwashed by radical Islam and have used the Palestinian people as political pawns leaving many still languishing in refugee camps today. In stark contrast, the Jewish freedom fighters, who also endured incredible hardships, focused their efforts towards their independence, and even those taken prisoner managed to escape again and again until they made their way back to Israel to celebrate the achievement of the independence of their people. Like many things in life, setting the right goal is half the battle, and a goal of life and freedom is a much more compelling vision and driving force than ever hate and terror will be.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
More Daring than a Prison Break
September 10, 2021
Georgetown View
Like the stone and red brick, the neat little bridges, and the cool retaining wall.
Have Pinstripes bowling on side, "Church" beer garden on the other, and across the street is an AMC movie theater and a promenade along the Potomac River.
On M Street, of course, is all the shopping. Go crazy!
Lot's of people. Tough to park. Nice to visit. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Georgetown View
September 9, 2021
Upside Down Car
Car ended up flipping over!
What was really weird was that the advertisement on the side of the car was for a personal injury lawyer.
Hopefully, the person(s) in the car came out okay and didn't need to call the "hurtline" listed. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy and Dannielle Blumenthal)
Upside Down Car
September 7, 2021
Deep In Meditation
Mindfulness, centered, focused, clarity, connected.
Also, some nice relaxing meditation music here:
(Credit Photo: Youtube)
Deep In Meditation
September 6, 2021
On a Wink and a Prayer
Made me think of:
On a wink and prayer!
A time for divine forgiveness and help.
G-d should have mercy. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
On a Wink and a Prayer
September 5, 2021
The Last Kiss Goodnight
Certainly, every human being has the desire to live and goes about fighting for life. It’s part of our genetic makeup and our very survival instinct. Yet, we all know that the cycle of life brings us from the beginnings of infancy to growth, the maturity of adulthood, then decline, old age and ultimately death itself. Truly, we all know the end from the very beginning, and with that we can achieve a greater awareness that what’s good in living isn’t the materialism and chasing the next “high,” but rather the ability to choose to do good and to be on a higher spiritual plane.Life is choice and having control over how we respond to life’s circumstances. Death is simply observing and being. Therefore, even if we merit being in the Divine presence in the afterlife, we still can’t actively help anyone, like those we love, any longer. This is why we want to merit life where we can continue to work on ourselves and help others. Thus, despite all the pain and suffering associated with life, it is more than offset by the opportunity to learn, grow, and transform our very essence in a purification process of our souls.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Last Kiss Goodnight
September 3, 2021
Shabbat Shalom + Shana Tova
Please G-d let it all be great! ;-)
(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
Shabbat Shalom + Shana Tova
September 2, 2021
Join U.S. Space Force
Join U.S. Space Force
September 1, 2021
Vase With Tongue Out
Very creative, but also a little gross.
I remember some crazy elders who used to say to put that tongue away or you'll get it cut right off.
At least the flowers will still remain and grow in the sunlight! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Vase With Tongue Out
August 31, 2021
Fox Tails Rainbow
Ok, they're colored but still from fox.
I asked the lady where the rest of the foxes where.
She pointed to the face masks in the tray (again real skinned faces from the foxes).
Then she pointed me to the inside of the store, and said the rest of the foxes are in there. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Fox Tails Rainbow
August 30, 2021
Cane Giraffe
Cane is perfect as the long neck.
This was awesome if you need the assistance and a smile. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Cane Giraffe
August 29, 2021
@Renaissance Festival 2021
Israeli Determination and the Afghanistan Debacle
It’s not always the largest, strongest, fastest, and best financed that wins. Like with the story of David and Goliath or even one of my modern-day heroes, Rocky, the determination of the little guy can overcome the biggest and the best of them. The Taliban were patient and over twenty years continued to wage their struggle against us, but more than that they knew that our patience was limited and that eventually we would leave, and they took the long view and planned for the overthrow of the government and the return of their rule after we were gone. They waited us out and that can be an incredibly successful strategy!Israel is the Jewish homeland and the Biblical Promised Land from G-d. What the Palestinians haven’t understood in all these years, since the State’s founding in 1948, is that no matter how long they try to wait us out, we have more determination than they have patience! The Jewish people will never give up our historical and legitimate rights to be a sovereign nation in our land, Israel. In the end, the Palestinians may be very patient, but we are the ones who are utterly determined: whether Ashkenazi or Mizrachi, Labor or Likud, Tel Avivian or Jerusalemite, one thing that we all fundamentally agree on is our sheer and utter determination as the Jewish people to survive and be a free nation in our land.
(Source Photo: Pixabay)
Israeli Determination and the Afghanistan Debacle
August 27, 2021
Cycle of Life - From Birth to Death
Amazing representation of the cycle of life.
How we start and how we finish.
Everything in the universe (G-d) is one! ;-)
(Credit Photo: via Facebook)
Cycle of Life - From Birth to Death
August 26, 2021
Anti-Dentite, Like Pulling Teeth
Notice the dentist has his foot up to get some leverage to pull out the teeth, yikes!
I guess this is how things were in the "olden days."
No Anesthesia either!
I'm sure in a hundred years from now, they'll look at our state of healthcare and laugh too.
Progress is a great thing! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Anti-Dentite, Like Pulling Teeth
August 25, 2021
Israel and Our Forefathers
It shows that the Hebrew word for Israel is actually made up of the first letters of all the names of our forefathers and mothers:
Isaac - יצחק
Jacob - יעקב
Sarah - שרה
Rebecca - רבקה
Rachel - רחל
Abraham - אברהם
Leah - לאה
Like the Bible says, we are truly the "children of Israel" (ישראל)! ;-)
(Credit Photo: RavDror via Facebook)
Israel and Our Forefathers
August 24, 2021
Awesome Designer Jeans
Love these jeans by Philipp Plein.
I eagle, lion, and pseudo military patches.
The paint: red, white, blue, and yellow.
Standout Pants, probably great with a leather bomber jacket. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Awesome Designer Jeans
August 23, 2021
Giraffe Lady
She's got the makeup, nice hat and jewelry and is relaxing with her back to the mirror.
Life is good!
On second thought, why the heck is a neck as long as a giraffe?
What is this another version of Pinocchio or something!
Wake up lady, you've got problems to deal with here. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Giraffe Lady