Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “Some Shabbos Chuckles.”
People never fail to amaze me in both their potential as well as in their idiosyncrasies. But the last number of weeks have really brought home that while we Jews share many commonalities, there are also quite a few quirky differences, and many of these are worth sharing.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “Israel’s Mysterious 7 Watershed Moments.”
G-d works in mysterious ways, but occasionally He reveals Himself to us to impart His holiness and perfection to the world.
As we know, seven represents the miraculous days of G-d’s creation of the heavens and earth and his rest on the holy seventh day of Shabbat. Additionally, in Kabbalah, seven represents the number of lower sephirot, which are the divine manifestations or emanations of G-d present in this world.
We shall see that many of Israel’s watershed moments have happened over many decades in years ending in the number seven (7).
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Please see my new poem in The Times of Israel called “Mutual and Eternal Love.”
Like Abraham, we are tested to do “what is right and just,” and history is our witness.
For “we are dust and will return to dust,” but our souls will rise to heaven and be reunited with our everlasting, loving Father.
(Also, please remember to listen to the Jewish music video as you read the poetry.)
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “Concrete Faith in a Flimsy Sukkah.”
Jews place their faith in G-d rather than massive building structures, the strongest foundations, and incalculable amounts of concrete and rebar. Instead, we sit in the flimsy and temporary sukkah to remember that G-d is our ultimate stronghold.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “Can Love Be Blind?”As long as in this material world, the body hides the soul of the person, then love can never be fully blind because people cannot see the true brightness of the soul inside or realize the primacy of people’s spiritual inner selves without getting distracted by the physical aspects of the person, including attraction (which as we all know fades over time) and, of course, class, race, and ethnicity. Yes, physical/chemical attraction is an important part of intimate relationships, but at the end of the day, it’s what’s inside that counts, not only in this world, but for our eternal being and purpose.
(Source Photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-holding-a-lantern-7789180/)
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “Madness and The Soul.”
Whereas normally the soul guides and directs the body, in the case of mental illness, the soul becomes imprisoned in the body and mind that is sick. When this happens, a person reverts to their wholly animalistic nature, and hence, what we are seeing is like a car without a driver, accelerating and careening dangerously until, usually, a horrible accident and end.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
With gratitude to Hashem, I am announcing my first published book, On Judaism and Life.
It is available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and hardcopy.
Book description:
This book is about finding and connecting with G-d. As the prophet Jeremiah states (29:13), “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” This is my personal journey back to G-d and Judaism. It provides my life reflections, dreams, prayers, and hopes to strengthen my faith and trust in G-d by exploring a variety of the precious gems of Judaism and the Torah, reflecting on the diversity and strength of our people and culture, and longing for our nation and beautiful State of Israel and the completion of the final Redemption and bringing of the Mashiach. Please G-d, may it serve as inspiration for your journey as well.
I hope you enjoy!
Interview requests may be directed here.
Six of the yellow leaves are for the workweek.
And the seventh (bent over at the top) is separate for Shabbat.
Even nature reminds us to keep G-d’s commandments. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Wow, this is an incredibly moving depiction of the destruction of the holy Temple in Jerusalem.
May G-d have mercy and renew our times as of old. 😉
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