Cute Little Ugly Snake

(Credit Photo: Rebecca O.)

Out with the Baby; In with the Fries!

At least this guy knows what’s really important! 😉

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Why I Cry At Circumcisions

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “Why I Cry At Circumcisions.”

Circumcision reminds me of Abraham, our forefather, who was tested and told to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, to G-d. It is truly counter-intuitive for a parent to hurt or sacrifice their child. Yet, this is exactly how G-d tested Abraham before the angel of G-d told him not to raise his hand to Isaac, and instead Abraham then offered to G-d a ram that was caught in the thicket. However, when it comes to circumcision, we are also tested and actually are commanded to surgically remove the male child’s foreskin and as the baby cries out, every parent, no matter how faithful and religiously devoted, winces and feels deeply inside for their child’s pain, even if it is only momentary and soothed by a sip of kosher Kedem Concord Grape wine.

The rite of the circumcision is an incredible transcendental religious experience, where our very faith is tested and we go against our own physical instincts to protect the child, no matter what, and instead we submit ourselves to G-d Almighty, the Master of the Universe to perform the circumcision, because He told us to. Whether there are medical benefits or not, G-d commands, and we obey. We are His people, and his thoughts and plans are infinitely greater than ours. At the circumcision, in an act of complete faith, we graciously give over our male children and ourselves—in body, mind, and soul to G-d. We renounce our desires, our gratification, our very instincts, and put ourselves in G-d’s merciful hands. In that moment of selfless giving, we fulfill our covenant of generations with G-d and we affirm our holiness as individuals and as a nation.

(Photo Credit: Avital Pinnick; https://www.flickr.com/photos/spindexr/4678468852/)

Politically Incorrect Ointment

Couldn’t believe that this was a real product in CVS.

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)

Cycle of Life – From Birth to Death

This wins photo of the week in my mind.

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)

@Lake Frank

(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

Colorful Balloons

What a beautiful unique porcelain statue.

A lady with a baby and a bouquet of colorful balloons. 

Really like how the colors of the balloons accent her shawl, scarf, and dress.   

Even the dreary “olden days” are made more cheery with these colorful balloons. 

I’ll take a dozen of those today and every day for a good while to come! 😉

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Teaching Kids To You Know What

This was so cute at buybuy Baby!

Mini toilets to teach the kids to go potty. 

The big pot can probably be scary for a little kid. 

Don’t want them to end up falling in and whoosh!  

Ok, not funny!

Seriously though, these little training toilets are cute. 

Honestly, I think there are some adults that need some potty training too. 

Yes, you know who you are!  😉

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)