Mendel Bluming | Blogger

The Medrash tells the story of a king who allowed one of his subjects whom he wanted to award, an hour in his treasuries. He was allowed to take whatever he would like. The king also served hors d’oeuvres and expensive drinks were poured and he had beautiful music playing and rare artwork was displayed. The man had plenty of time and so he spent time on the desserts and the drinks and listening to the music and looking at the art until he realized that his time was almost up! He ran to grab a treasure but alas it was almost too late and what he was able to take was minuscule..   We each have limited time on this precious earth with so much to accomplish. Your mission, your Mitzvahs are like treasures, precious beyond measure. G-d also provides ample distractions to challenge you and make your choices meaningful. Your safety is very important still Omicron is not the major story of the week, your mission in life is. COVID is not the big story of the last two years. Don’t allow y...

I asked Google (July 2021) how many covid mutations have been identified and this is what they told me: “scientists have now identified at least 3,981 unique descendants of the first Covid virus that emerged in December 2019. The Delta itself already has at least 637 descendants that have been identified in the lab.”  Not a family that I would like to be a member of... In the deeper teachings of Judaism, we are taught that unless you eradicate the source of a negative trait within yourself it will mutate indefinitely. In fact, the Rebbe Maharash, one of the greatest Jewish sages of all time, teaches that ego can even mutate in the garb of a pious Jew. A person can be outwardly pious and that outward appearance gives them the feeling that they are holy and must no longer be on guard for their inner viruses, a dangerous mistake. In addition there are times when you are needed to do something important and just at that moment a very pious religious calling comes to your mind. It is ...

You feel so much a part of my life. Wherever I go, I see people thinking and talking about you. Whenever I put on my face mask or have to go on another zoom, I think of you.   I remember when you were far away. You had that exotic sounding name. They've called you Corona. You were almost like a curiosity, we didn't know what are going to look like. But then you arrived. Schools and workplaces were shut. Everyone was home, and there was an endless stream of sad news. Death, illness, overcrowded hospitals. Frankly, wherever you went, you wreaked havoc. You have changed how people live, travel, work and study. You've changed everything. Now, hopefully, you will be gone soon. Maybe you should take with you some of the "gifts" you brought. Working at home, for example, sounds like an attractive idea on paper. But ask anyone with young kids and a small living space what they think about it. So many of your other "gifts" are not necessary either. St...

Once the mRNA Covid vaccine is injected into your body it teaches your cells to make thousands of copies of the spike protein so that if your body is exposed to the virus later it will recognize it and be prepared to defend.   A tiny, tiny bit of this mRNA multiplies and teaches the body how to respond for a long time to come. Education through subtle messaging produces this multiplying result. A little bit of matzah at a Passover Seder each year reinforces in a child that message of faith and trust that they are being looked after. The shofar on Rosh Hashanah, fasting on Yom Kippur, eating outside in a temporary hut on Sukkot, dancing with the Torah on Simchat Torah etc. etc. these are critical Jewish mRNA. Throughout life when we face a challenge Jews have known how to respond because injected into our cells are these carefully prepared messages that have passed the test of time. Rabbi Mendel Bluming, Maryland

In ridding our homes of chametz like cookies, snacks, cheerios etc we search for even a crumb and we get rid of it.   Over this year of Covid-19, we have come to understand how even the smallest 0.1 micron of coronavirus can wreak havoc in the body's ecosystem. Spiritually as well, it is easy to overlook small comments and insults, gossip and jealousy, overlooking a day of tefillin or a mezuzah on one of our doorposts. Those 'small' details wreak havoc in our spiritual ecosystem. As we prepare for Passover and rid our homes of all leaven, we are invited to look internally to find those too often overlooked personal 'crumbs' that will allow our homes to be so much more healthy, kind and holy. Menachem Mendel Bluming

Unsurprisingly, Merriam-Webster has chosen “pandemic” as their word of the year. It has been the most researched, analyzed and studied word in all of 2020—a year that has certainly left its mark on the world.  But may I humbly suggest that perhaps the word “humility” better represents the year we’ve just endured? If there’s one thing 2020 has hammered into our consciousness, it’s humility. This time last year, we had grand plans for 2020. Certainly none of us could have predicted what happened next! In fact, as we ushered in the New Year, the pandemic had already begun in China. As it spread, the world was shaken to its core. We were entirely unprepared; we had no tools to handle the situation foisted upon us. Without doubt, the events of 2020 will feature heavily in history books. We thought we had the mightiest weapons in our arsenal, including F16s and hydrogen bombs, and then we discovered just how powerless we are against a tiny, invisible virus. Humbling.  Even as it spr...

The realities of Chanukah exactly 2159 years ago forced the Jews to find a way to light the menorah with one seemingly inadequate cruse of oil. Amazingly it lasted not only for that Chanukah but to this day.   In 2020 the realities forced us to somehow make one measly cruse of oil work. We had to find ways to make Chanukah joyous despite not being able to congregate and celebrate together.   In 2020 YOU found a way to make one small jug work. You expressed love and care despite physical distance. You supported and sustained the community despite the hardships of this year. Yes I have seen many marriages strained by the pandemic yet I have also seen so many marriages strengthened. When we spend so much time together we realize how much we need each other and how worthwhile it is to invest in relationships with family that are all too often neglected.   Finding the good in 2020 starts with Chanukah. That one small cruse of oil looked measly but now in hindsight it was a pow...

It’s a game changer. With Covid-19 the reports are indicating that you can be totally asymptomatic and still be a carrier of the virus and unknowingly spread it further, G-d forbid. It means that even though you feel fine, and you are the nicest person in the world, there is no guarantee that you are not going to spread anything negative to anyone else. Because it is possible that you are unknowingly carrying the errant microbe. This is the reason for the widespread insistence on masks, and distancing and the other mandated precautions. Because even if you think you feel fine, maybe G-d forbid there is something you are carrying that you simply don’t know about. So here is a positive angle! You have so much goodness inside of you! Even more than your symptoms might show and even more than you know. Shine that goodness to all around you through a smile, a word of wisdom, guidance and Torah or a kind deed. If a virus can spread even if one shows no symptoms how much more so g...

  “Place guards at all of your personal entryways!” Commands the Torah in Deuteronomy. Don’t let anything into your sacred space, mind and heart without questioning it. One of the challenges with the coronavirus is that it is invisible. It is harder for person to be disciplined to protect against something that they do not see. So too the insidious effects of those influences that we take in from another’s breath and words impact us very deeply even though the onslaught seems subtle and innocuous. Before allowing another’s thoughts and words to into your space pause, just pause. Consider if you are being uplifted by something virtuous or infected by something potentially dangerous. Mendel (Menachem) Bluming

Someone said to me, "You know Mendel Bluming, you don't need to smile anymore! No one can tell behind that mask if you are smiling or not!" He brought a smile to my face :) In truth of course you can tell if another is smiling, from their eyes! You see, there is that superficial smile that we are all too familiar with and then there is a smile that is an expression of deep clarity and contentment. A genuine feeling of happiness from knowing that you stand for something more permanent than the shifting sands and viruses of our time. We will persevere despite all the vicissitudes we see around us. That smile may be hidden behind a mask but it is very much present! Smile! :) Mendel (Menachem) Bluming

The holiday of Shavuot celebrates the day on which the Torah was given on Mt Sinai. Now that sounds very important... and yet in the Talmud the holiday is exclusively called Atzeret which means “stop and linger”. The stop and linger holiday?! What could that mean? Stay another day is a chant we hear from our children when a magical, wonderful vacation comes to an end. We don’t want to leave, they exclaim. This is so beautiful; we want to stay another day. We all have that experience when a wonderful vacation comes to an end. It might be a skiing trip to the Alps, a cruise on the Riviera, or a resort in the Caribbean, no matter how enchanting and delightful the holiday might be, the last day eventually arrives. We all feel the emotional tug that pulls at our heartstrings to stay just another day or even an hour. Alas, the return flights have been booked, the kids must return to school, and our work back home is piling up. We entertain the romantic notion of staying but give in...

At times husbands offers to help out and in his mind he is being sincere, and yet his wife sees him as unhelpful and does not accept his offer. Sometimes what the husband says and what his wife hears are miles apart. We need to appreciate how our words come across. She may be hearing the opposite of what he meant. So when you say: "If you need any help preparing dinner I am happy to help you. Just let me know, I'm right here in the living room." You thought that was being nice. But your wife hears: "I am going to the couch to chill. If you really desperately need me, then you will have to come and disturb my peace and I will reluctantly come and cut up a few vegetables like a martyr." Not a very convincing offer. Even though you didn't say it in those words, between the lines you implied a willingness to help, but not an eagerness. You are not presenting yourself as being at her service, but rather as not opposed to doing your bit if it i...

What is normal? If we know anything at all, it’s that the definition has radically changed over the last two months. Normal used to be commuting to and from work each day, but Corona has forced us to reconsider whether we need to commute at all or if we can work entirely from home. Normal used to involve eating out multiple times a week, but Corona has necessitated that we learn how to eat primarily from our own kitchens. Normal used to mean entertainment required Broadway shows, movies, and concerts, but we have shattered that notion by entertaining ourselves at home with our families and online Torah classes. Normal Saturday nights used to mean getting dressed up and going out with friends; now we happily stay in with family, play games, and eat popcorn. Normal used to be getting dressed up and driving out to attend celebrations. Corona has shown us that we can celebrate via Zoom. Normal used to be that in order to be happy, we needed to make lots of money, ...

If G-d is calling to get our attention, then it is indeed quite impressive. Within the space of a few weeks, the world has changed drastically. Every single person on the planet has had to pause, stop the way they've been living their life until now, re-evaluate their priorities and what's really important, spend more time caring for their loved ones and less time in usual pursuits. The virus has equally affected those with money, fame and possessions. The only currencies that have any true value are our relationships and our faith. We have learnt that everything we do, even staying home, has a purpose and a meaning, and every individual impacts everyone else. What's even more impressive is that the world has been transformed without any miracles. We have come to these realizations on our own, without being forced, with our free choice intact. That is an amazing act of G-d. Or maybe not. The other option is that there is no G-d, this is just one of those thing...

How ironic is it? We live in the age of communication and an unprecedented era of unimaginable connectivity. At the touch of a button, you can see and hear a person at the other end of the world - for free! And for not much more, you can visit that person and be there in less than a day! The advent of technological advances - no, miracles! - has changed the way we communicate and brought us together in ways our great-grandparents would have thought inconceivable. And yet, in a twist of historic irony, the most connected generation to date is not allowed to leave home. The most social, global community ever has taken to social distancing. One of the lessons we are learning is this: It's great that you can communicate effortlessly with someone across the globe from you. Can you communicate with the person across the table from you? We've conquered the world; but have we done well with our own homes? We've connected thousands and millions of friends and fol...

There is a curious law in the laws of giving tzedakah which requires us to give enough tzedakah to a needy person sufficient for them to be able to give some tzedakah as well. Why does that make sense? Why give them community money for them to give to the community?! Here's a thought to consider: One of the most important gifts that you can give a person, is empowerment. Feeling in need makes you feel dis-empowered and vulnerable. By putting this needy individual in a position of being able to give he can feel again needed and empowered to make a difference and through that transform his trajectory positively. If you are feeling powerless or paralyzed during this COVID-19 time, find someone to whom to give. Go shopping for them. Give them words of encouragement even if you are feeling unsure yourself. Give to tzedakah. Distract yourself from your own worries. By giving you become empowered to make a difference and you are once again reminded how pivotal your role ...

There seems to be an impossible task before us. Countries seek to reopen economies, commerce and travel and yet fear for the welfare of their citizens. Practically the entire world is in this conundrum together trying to grapple with what the elusive best approach might be. The Jews stood at the sea with an Egyptian army behind them and an impenetrable sea before them. What were they to do? If you were there, what would you have suggested? From all of the ideas and suggestions and thoughts no one could have contemplated that the sea would suddenly split and they would just walk through it. So too in our days sometimes we simply do not have the answers and yet G-d opens up new avenues of possibility. May we indeed find a way out that is both safe and prosperous! Wishing you good health and protection. Mendel (Menachem) Bluming