Please see my new article in The Times of Israel, All Will Know G-d.
In the true story that I recount, a little Ethiopian girl tells me:
There is no reason to fight because we all believe in G-d and that He created us.
Similar to what Zechariah prophesized (14:9)
The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.
I hope you enjoy this piece on faith, unity, and hope for the future. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So we made it to the Kotel in Jerusalem yesterday.
What an amazing experience.
It’s been too many years.
Definitely, one of the top moments of my life.
As we entered the old city and walked through the narrow ways toward the Western Wall of the Temple, my heart and breathing was racing and I could feel the spiritualness getting closer and closer.
When we finally arrived at the Holy Wall, I was just completely overwhelmed and saying over and over, OMG!
We took some photos, and then immediately when to pray at the wall.
I think I got lost in prayer and didn’t realize how long I had been standing and clutching the Holy Wall of G-d’s ancient Temple.
I truly believe that our prayers ascend to Heaven at this special spot of G-d’s earthly abode.
I wanted to fall to my knees, but stopped myself repeatedly as this is not generally the Jewish custom.
But in my mind, my body, and soul was prostrated completely before G-d Almighty.
I put myself in His hands.
We can only do our best, and the rest is all in His control.
We can try to make the best decisions we can, but the real guidance in life comes from Him and His will for us.
We learned in Yeshiva, not to ask in prayer for specific things in life to happen for us, but rather to ask G-d to do what is right in His eternal mind for us.
This is right…submit to the King of Kings and let Him show us the way for us.
What are the right words to say to G-d?
At the end, thank you and please continue to help us, your children. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So what is there to fear in this world.
Whatever happens, happens.
And G-d is the master over it all.
He holds all the keys.
G-d opens doors.
When we are being challenged, look toward the Heavens.
There is a door there somewhere.
What can ANY man do to us?
When G-d reigns over ALL men.
In G-d, there is salvation and mercy.
G-d will watch over His people.
And He will bless them in peace! 😉
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
Wow, how beautiful an array of colorful summer fruit.
Saw this at Balducci’s (classy store).
Watermelon, cantalope, pineapple, and mango.
Sliced and all nicely packaged up together ready to eat.
Looks yum!
Amazing what G-d creates.
And he bestows on man the ability to put the finishing touches.
Thank you Oh L-rd, who gives us the delicious and beautiful fruit of the tree.
Yes, it’s an unusual blog for Tisha B’Av–maybe I’m craving the food. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
{I don’t know what this is, but it came to me, and it just feels important to share…I start to feel spiritually overwhelmed, very emotional, and then all choked up…and so it starts}
Behold, the day cometh when the earth will open it’s mouth.
And there will be a very great slaughter.
And the earth will shake and tremble before the Holy One blessed be he.
He walks before the nation of Israel.
Ready to strike with the all-powerful tip of His spear.
Like a bolt of lightening without warning.
Magnificent in beauty and damning in tumultuous energy.
The sky thunders before His majesty.
The angels stir and flee before the All-Mighty Creator.
His holiness envelopes the earth and stars.
His eyes are full of mercy, but justice is in his mighty outstretched arm.
Those that stand in evil before His glory will soon be buried in a very great rubble.
The skies are darkening; the day is arriving.
And all the people will know that G-d dost live, and His people shall live.
Evil will be obliterated from off the face of the earth, and His holiness will manifest in peace and redemption.
The implements of war will be smashed to smithereens, engulfed within the insides of the earth.
And their makers buried beside them, crushed and utterly destroyed.
A mass grave to the east and to the west, and then a great rebuilding.
From the L-rd goeth forth justice to his enemies and mercy to His children.
{The streaming stops suddenly…I want it to continue…but it’s over…I try my own words, but they are not His…I give up for today.}
(Source Photo: Minna Blumenthal)
So we had some friends come visit last night.
They are religious Christians (brother and sister) who love the Jewish people, and one of them actually attends our synagogue on a regular basis.
We had a nice time talking and eating, and I also learned an interesting religious lesson.
The man told me how he understood that Judaism is very focused on rules (i.e. laws) that people are supposed to follow as laid out in the Torah.
But he said, it is also important to build a relationship with G-d.
The relationship being about sincerely knowing that G-d is there for us, that we are bound to him, that we express our gratitude for everything he does for us, and that we ask him for what we need.
I think the main difference in how he described it was that is was not in a rote and ritualistic type of way, but rather as in a real relationship, where we talk to G-d naturally and recognize him benevolently and lovingly.
As Jews, we know we cannot substitute a loving relationship with G-d for doing what we are commanded to do, but perhaps we can do both.
We can follow the rules–the do’s and don’ts–AND we can bind with G-d in a one on one relationship–where we are and feel bound to him not just because we must, but rather because we really love him for creating us, sustaining us, and he is the ultimate good in universe.
When we are in a “relationship” with G-d, it’s because he is someone we want to cling to, relate to, talk to, and yearn for.
This is a just little different than how I learned about this in yeshiva, where it was much more about loving and fearing G-d in a rule-based way–again because we are commanded to do it.
But perhaps it is nice also to love and fear G-d, because he is G-d and we are in a deep and growing relationship with him. 😉
Took a photo from this children’s book that someone left in the kosher Chinese restaurant–and it was sort of priceless.
There is a drawing of a ventriloquist with his puppet.
And it says, “All my friends are dummies,”
Often, it’s tempting to think that we’re so smart and “we’re all that”, but everyone else is just a dummy.
But we need to remember that in a way, really we’re all just a bunch of dummies–now you didn’t think I was going to say that, did you?
We are human, frail, mortal…and no one knows everything (hey, not even close).
My father used to joke saying, “I know nothing, and I can prove it!”
The truth is that all we really know is what G-d wants us to know; we say, what G-d permits our tongues to speak, and ultimately, we do, what G-d commands of us–there is no escaping it.
In the big picture, we are but puppets and dummies in the hands of the omniscient creator.
For those with mega size egos (and usually nasty to match)…what G-d gives, he can easily take away, so don’t be a real dummy. 😉
(Source Photo: The Blumenthals)
In the last few weeks, there are three beautiful sayings that have stuck out in my mind and I wanted to share them with you:
– Materialism and Relationships:
“It’s not about what you have, but about who you have.”
– Sin and Punishment:
“You’re not punished for your sins, but by your sins.”
– Creation and Creator:
“All things serve the will of the L-rd”
I think if we keep these in mind and use these to guide our everyday actions, we will make better choices and be better people for it.
Hope you appreciate the importance of these sayings as much as I do and find them useful in your lives. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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