Mendel Bluming | Blogger

Spirituality and healing are fundamentally intertwined. Modern medicine has opened its mind to the power of the mind to help heal the body, and the impact of a patient's spiritual state on the healing process. Any attempt to better our physical health should be coupled with an upgrade in our spiritual health. On many levels, the body and soul go side-by-side. A medical treatment will only be effective if it is well-matched for the patient. Factors such as blood type, genetic make-up and family history will help make a determination whether a particular treatment is appropriate for a particular person. A practitioner would be negligent in their duty if they did not first investigate the patient's background prior to deciding how to treat them. The same applies to remedies of the spiritual nature. Your soul's family history must be thought about before embarking on any spiritual path. If your soul’s DNA is Jewish, it needs Jewish spirituality to be healthy. Heal...

In the words of Isaiah carved in the wall of the United Nations: “…they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks- Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2-4) But it is a little hard to see that happening in today’s world... how will it come about? The Messianic era, which we have been praying for ever since the Temple was destroyed 2000 years ago, will usher in an unbelievable reign of peace. All nations will bond under one G-d with a singular moral purpose. There will be no more hostilities, no famine, and no slow internet. While religious and national unique qualities will remain, the hatred between them will be gone. No blood need be shed to attain this. The force of ideas, not the might of weapons, will bring about the redemption. This means some ideologies will need adjustment and certain beliefs rejected. But this can be done through self-examination from within rather than at...

Traditionally freshly laundered clothing is not worn for the duration of this period (other than Shabbat), however that is only if they are changed because of comfort or pleasure. Those who are accustomed to changing their shirts regularly due to dirt or perspiration in the heat of summer, may do so even during the nine days, even if the shirt has previously been freshly laundered. Menachem Mendel Bluming quoted from Rabbi Goldstein at ShulchanAruchHarav.com who sources this in Kinyan Torah 1:109; Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:17

When Rabbi Mendel Bluming came to Potomac he was approached by a local newspaper with the question as to the need of so many synagogues, shouldn’t one joint one be enough?! Here’s a new thought on it. It reminded me of a similar question: Why are there so many diners in our neighborhood? Shouldn't there just be one place to go out to? I have counted 12 on one street! Would it be better with just one big restaurant? I think foodies would not agree. One person loves Thai, another prefers Italian. The formal dining experience in one place works for some, while others seek a casual night out. Family friendly fast food locations will not attract the fine diners, and fancy plates with a tiny little gourmet morsel in the middle will not be popular with hungry adolescents. Vegetarians don't seem to enjoy steak houses. Steak lovers don't always go for quinoa burgers. The varied choice of restaurants caters to all the varied tastes and moods. There can't be a one eatery f...