

Dressed as a minion.
On the way to see Minions movie.
This kid can really play the part!
It’s funny minion sounds like minyan. đ
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “Contradictions, Corruption, and Lies.”
The list of ânonsensicalsâ in our society could go on and on (and I wonât even get started with all the Covid mandates and chaos), and you have to ask yourself what type of country (and world) we are leaving to future generations: A world that is full contradictions, corruption, and lies!
In the end, we canât live with the double-talk and lies that we are being fed or the political grandstanding and corruption that takes the place of real humanity and progress. This leaves us to find truth and faith in the good and love that is G-d and to act from His word and not the phony media or corrupt politicians that seek to lead us continuously astray.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “Not by Chariots or Horses.”
As I watched through the window of the synagogue, the people practicing their boxing, I remembered when I was young and learning to fight. It took an enormous amount of training, hard work, and practice, and still at the end of the day, the realization always that we are but the foot soldiers for G-d. We must be the best prepared in every way that we can (âNever again!â); however, it is G-d who not only leads us, but also fights for us. In the Prophets (Joshua 6), we learn that Hashem literally brought down the walls of the great city of Jericho simply by having Joshua and the Israelites march around it, blow the Shofar, and yell a great shout. So too may G-d continue to fight for us against the enemies in our time and speedily complete the final redemption.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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 childâs foreskin and as the baby cries out, every parent, no matter how faithful and religiously devoted, winces and feels deeply inside for their childâs 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 ourselvesâin body, mind, and soul to G-d. We renounce our desires, our gratification, our very instincts, and put ourselves in G-dâs 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/)
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “Testing Our Faith.”
In short, I think itâs healthy for us as human beings to ask questions, even the most difficult questions of why. We need to make sense of our world and the context in which we live. Questions like: Why do good people at times experience horrible loss and suffering? Why do atheists and sinners often seem to excel and succeed (my wife says, perhaps they sold their soul to the devil!)?
While asking why to search for G-d and try to understand His ways is human, at the same time, we as mere mortal human beings can not ever fully know G-dâs ways or His plan for us. In short, Mendel, the Chabad rabbi, said today, donât get fixated on the why. Instead focus on what you can do to make the world better. Actions speak louder than words.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “Zionism of Strength and Humility.”
I sometimes get very scared when we donât give Hashem the proper credit for our incredible accomplishments and military successes, but rather we talk about our own âself-reliance.â To a certain extent, the calls for self-reliance is understandable amidst broad-based anti-Semitism in the world, calls for Boycotts, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel, and near constant United Nations resolutions again us. Of course, in these circumstances and with our history of suffering persecution, pogroms, and Holocaust, we may look to insulate and protect ourselves from the worldâs incessant and irrational hatred of Jews.
Most importantly though, we have to recognize that G-d is in charge. As a small people in a tiny (albeit marvelous) land, surrounded by enemies, we can never forget that remaining sovereign over Israel and defeating our enemies that rise up against us time and again is nothing but completely miraculous. Our enemies are 1,000 to 1 against us, and yet G-d makes them run from before us.
(Source Photo: IDF; https://www.flickr.com/photos/idfonline/51131344223/in/album-72157719004030432/)
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “Measuring Success Like G-d.”
Never more than today are we living lives of total excess. This week, we saw a Mercedes-Benz 1995 car sell for a record-breaking $142 million. Last month in response to Russiaâs invasion of Ukraine, authorities seized a Russian oligarchâs $793 million mega yacht. And this last year, Morgan Stanley predicted that Elon Musk may eventually become the worldâs first trillionaire.
In a world where marketing, sales, advertising, branding, and the media all seek to convince us that life is essentially about âthings,â self-satisfaction, the next high, and happiness, we can easily forget how transient and valueless all that really is. Inside each of us though there is a deeper, true voice that seeks a life of real meaning, purpose and immortality, where faith, compassion, giving, and self-sacrifice is the true measure of our character and the ultimate gauge of life success.(Source Photo: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/smiley-emoticon-greed-822993/)
We went to a beautiful playground dedication at Chabad.
Aside from the lavish and colorful playground, they had a trampoline, petting zoo, and BBQ for Lag B’Omer.
This was Torah Turtle (my name for him) at the event.
What an amazing shell and such a cool animal.
Turtles are a definite favorite! đ
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)