יום ראשון, כ״ז תמוז תשפ״וSunday, July 12, 2026
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Blindly, we refuse to celebrate the Divine and awesome revelations of Torah prophecies. It seems that it is more convenient to point out foibles and failures of mortal leaders.
When awe and fear collide, faith either disappears or traverses the Heavens. Today's show explores the dichotomy of seeing the 'ordinary' through holy lenses while witnessing a Greatness that lies beyond smoke, sirens and relentless 'booms.'
What is it about words and sentiments that either build up and encourage those whom we care about or destroy trust and injure those same people?
What made the relationship between Naomi and her daughters-in-law unique? Do true converts have something to teach those of us born to the tribe?
The war we're fighting is more layered than khaki clad soldiers toting weaponry. False narratives and accusations of Israeli evil-doing infects our daily lives and national psyche. And despite it all, we rise and soar!!!
It has been said that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Is it possible that we are both architects of, and complicit in our own demise?
The holiday of Pesach epitomizes the Jewish "raison d'etre." We survived and will continue to flourish because of fortitude, optimism and unwavering faith.
The story of Purim screams from the rafters: Amalek wants us dead and who will be an Ester, defiant in the face of abject cruelty? Today is the day to step up and take a stand - physically and morally - for Jewish survival!
It has been said that 'History repeats itself'. True enough. But if you want to know how events play out for the children of Israel today, check out Megillat Esther - Book of Esther. A holy and prophetic look at the Jewish experience, in our times!
Seventeen months into a vile war for survival, defending ourselves from an onslaught of unimaginable ferocity, we cannot hide from reports of the magnitude of brutality visited upon our holy hostages. The people of Israel live - scarred, bleeding, united.
How much does grief, anger, despair and disappointment weigh? Ask any Israeli this week. After more than 500 days of war, again we shudder from acts of cynical brutality, brought about by Hamas and its Jew-hating proxies.
United in hope but divided by fear, Israel dances with the Devil as we await the return of our precious hostages and soldiers - both alive and dead.
United in hope but divided by fear, Israel dances with the Devil as we await the return of our precious hostages and soldiers - both alive and dead.
We are different, born of travail and vision. Like our forefathers and foremothers, the road ahead may not be easy. Yet, we forge ahead, placing God and family above all else.
The Children of Israel carry the DNA of warriors, scholars, healers and leaders. We reflect the light of Chanukah, shining light and holiness throughout the world.
Do all heroes wear capes and, weaponized, fight the bad guys? In a world that has gone mad with rage and judgement, sometimes the best and bravest are those who celebrate God, country, and leave a legacy of kindness and walking in His ways.
Jew-hatred? Spiritual anemia? Parental alienation? Yawn. We've been given a mandate and the Torah blueprint is eternal. He took us out of Egypt to be a God to us: Why sweat the small stuff?
With the conclusion of the American elections, some are gloating, some weeping, some looking forward to better future and others planning revenge.
Disharmony. Discord. Animus. No! We were created to be so much more, in His image as purveyors of holiness, gratitude and joy. The year is still fresh. We can BE the "Goodness"!
Standing at the cusp of the holiest day of the Jewish year, we have an obligation to expect abundant blessings including health, sustenance, loving relationships and Heavenly miracles!
We are rapidly approaching the Yamim Noraim - High Holy Days. Will they merely be a calendar pit-stop or will something change for us, our families, our communities?
Relying on miracles is a dangerous policy. Relying only on ourselves is equally futile. The ironclad partnership between Israel and the Creator is the recipe for blessings and fulfillment of His eternal promise.
Will they attack or not? When will they attack and where?
Too many Jewish politicians and pundits challenge the democratically elected leaders of Israel about policy and procedure while knowing nothing of our shared history and Torah law.
Self-defense is a moral obligation and doing the right thing can be a lonely endeavor. Also, look at someone's friends and you'll know who he is. A word - and warning - to the wise.
Despite our reputation as a stiff-necked, recalcitrant nation, the Children of Israel typically rise beyond the ordinary to provide comfort and sustenance for one another, especially in times of uncertainty.
What is the secret to Jewish existence? Is there something inherently holy -- or magical -- to our continued presence, despite the efforts of our eternal enemies?
The music of your life frequently depends on whom you surround yourself with. Naysayers breed negativity, anger and hopelessness. But those who see the glass as half full and tomorrow filled with promise can make our lives both richer and rife with meaning.
Looking back and bemoaning what we "had" is a prescription for stagnation. While the unknown can be scary, our partnership with God's demands that we aspire, create, and await the opportunities which tomorrow holds for us.
Besieged by lies and fabricated narratives, Israel's fights cannot rely on the goodwill of those whom, historically, have thwarted our survival.
Jews are in a state of physical and spiritual turbulence. With our security threatened and growing isolation, reaching deep within ourselves to connect to Him provides a sure-fire method for maintaining sanity and hope in an increasingly hostile and immoral world.
Pull Up A Chair 16MAY2024 - PODCAST
Is 'holiness' conferred or merited? The soldiers and citizens of Israel remain determined and hopeful, despite a seemingly endless "trial by fire"!
From praying, fighting, giving, volunteering, the people of Israel are paradigms of Godliness in a world rife with evil.
Living one's Judaism is very different than knowing/reading about tenets of faith. Dwelling in the land of Israel provides technicolor insights to Torah observance, tethering us to our history, culture and traditions.
Under siege, fighting both physical, political and media battles, little Israel remains clear in her mission. Laughing through tears, Am Yisroel will persevere and, again, defy both naysayers and enemies of the Jewish state.
The Torah teaches us that we are capable - no, obligated! - to reach beyond ourselves and not find contentment in mediocrity. Sediment muddies poorly processed olive oil but pure oil burns brightly. Jews, when pressed like olives, bring holiness into the world.
As a result of the barbarism of October 12, Jews around the world were shocked into the realization that despite efforts to assimilate, they've been 'outed.' For many, there is an increased interest in religious observance. But where to start? The dining room table is where holiness begins.
Some have, some don't and that's just the way it is, right? The Torah reveals amazing facts about the delicate subjects of usury, generosity and what is and isn't possible!
We are living through some of the bleakest days in Jewish history. But holding onto fear denotes a lack of faith and is, in fact, a sin.
Without coercion, the Children of Israel accepted the Torah, establishing a forever-covenant with God. Consequently, the "yoke" of mitzvot liberated us from physical, emotional and spiritual slavery.
Is life comprised of days lining up against one another until we breathe our last? Why are we here?
Jews have survived by practicing "simcha shel mitzvah", finding joy in Torah observance. For thousands of years, despite the darkness that we constantly face, Jews light up the world with full faith in God's and determination to bring blessing to His world.
Jews are learners, readers, healers and lawmakers. But when backed into the proverbial corner, we are fighters! Let our enemies beware; waking a sleeping lion comes with consequences!
We do not give into despair! Resilience in the face of darkness defines the Eternal Nation. The people of Israel live, tethered to Heaven's unbreakable promise. And despite myriad travails, we've been chosen to spread light and holiness throughout the world. Chanukah Samayach!
The days weigh heavy as Israel holds back from finishing the job of eradicating Hamas. What is the cost of a Jewish life and will our resolve to remain united in the face of unbridled evil remain steadfast? We grapple the tough stuff on today's show.
From the dawn of our independence, Israel's defensive actions have been scrutinized by most of the world, subjected to duplicitous moral codes and regularly denounced by the United Nations. It appears that standards for other societies do not apply - to Jews!
Silence is no longer an option (was it ever?)
Who determines our belief system? Social media and CNN or the blueprint of our existence, Torah and God's promise for our holy future?
Jew hatred is de rigueur, no longer hiding in the shadows. Has your family, yet, had the conversation regarding what - if anything - you will do when those who wish you harm come knocking?
Trying times bring out the best and worst in man.
Up-close and personal reflections of how it felt to be away from her beloved Israel during these days of unprecedented brutality and Jew-hatred
Are all Jews worthy of God's forgiveness? Redemption is not born of purity but, rather, the sincere desire to grow closer to Heaven.
Rosh Hashana embodies compassion, expectation, gratitude and hope. Everything and everyone has a Divine purpose and there is room at the table for everyone. We are being granted a precious audience with the King; let's not squander the opportunity!
In a world of technicolor sound effects and available information in a nano-second, what remains to make our skin tingle? The Days of Awe are upon us; abundant blessing and miracles are within reach but only if we can still the cacophony of that which is artificial and, consequently, allow some Holy silence to enter […]
Standing at the cusp of a new year, what are we praying for? These days are precious and mustn't be squandered with a 'Business as Usual' attitude. Atonement and forgiveness are only one side of the 'Faith' coin: Expectations, hope and awaiting miracles fill are certainly on-tap, but only if we open our hands, hearts and souls in expectation of His belief in and blessings for us.
We are waist deep in the month of Elul; for some of us, however, nothing feels different! Ho-hum, the High Holy days again. Yawn. . . . . .
Summertime, and the living is easy. So easy, in fact, that we are likely to ignore the thread that ties us to Heaven.
Does love mean never having to say "I'm sorry"? Emphatically, Judaism says "No"! Peace and harmony can only emerge after we embrace humility and clear away any discord that remains between one another.
In the Nine Days that precede the weighty Tisha B'Av commemoration, much time is spent on remorse and reflection. But is there light at the end of the bleak tunnel, illuminating our path toward greater redemption?
The Three Weeks remind us of the bleakest events to befall the Jewish nation. And while personal and communal reflection weigh heavily upon us, we are not alone, never abandoned.
In celebrating little things, we create holiness in the most unexpected places. Because the 'little things' are truly monumental.
Talk to the rock, hit the rock - splitting hairs, no? They got water, didn't they??? Today's show explores expectations that accompany leadership.
Labeling ourselves and others limits the human experience and silences the outlooks of those from whom we can learn. What are we scared of? Spiritual 'growing pains' must be embraced lest we grow stale from 'religious inertia.'
Did the spies have to enter the Promised Land? Who gave them that assignment and did the punishment fit the 'crime'? Also: Is happiness or negativity a produce of nature or nurture? Sensitivity to others is a habit that, for many, requires vigilance and honing.
In a world where issues of ethnicity, politics, economy and faith divide us, how can we increase unity and friendship? Real life and Torah, again, interconnect to reveal miracles in our communal existence.
Did the KGB plot out the destruction of America? Howie reveals their plan in this explosive show!
The Torah tells us that we are to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" with obligations and duties. It behooves us to ask: Do we get the leaders we deserve or deserve the leaders we get?
What makes someone 'Jewish'? Isn't it enough to be a good person, pay one's taxes and practice kindness? Man-made laws and cultures-of-the-month hasten the demise of Jewish survival.
News outlets and social media drown us in trash-talk and gossip. The Torah illustrates that putting a lid on gossip serves as a spiritual antidote, leading to more satisfying, God-centered lives.
Amidst the noise, the vitriol, a righter-than-thou cacophony that has plagued Israel over the past few weeks, a quieter message struggles to be heard
Ridding our homes of breadstuff in anticipation of Passover is only half of the "purge project." Confronting feelings of self-importance, morality fudging, and other ego-centric attitudes will better assist us in preparing for the Seder and embracing the humility that reflects the meaning behind Pesach.
The world was created for you. Say what??? In adding to one small, positive behavior/attitude, an individual can alter the spiritual trajectory of the world! Be the catalyst for change and Take On Something. Today.
Is prayer meant to be a chore, an obligation to check off one's list in order to attain God's favor? Or is it, perchance, a privilege that allows us to express our higher calling and commune with the source of our innate Holiness?
Do the poor and downtrodden have anything to offer the wealthy? And who's money is it anyway? Can the lives of both rich and poor spiritually intersect?
The first of the Ten Commandments appears as a call to faith rather than an instruction manual for holy living. Can belief in God be dictated or is something much, much deeper at play?
What connects us to the Egyptian exodus so many thousands of years after the actual event? Even when we forget the words, the "Song of Songs" continues to thread music and cadence within the Jewish soul.
How much influence do we have on young people? The imparting of our personal histories and celebrating both the foibles and accomplishments of those who came before us imparts feelings of connection, continuity and pride.
Do good times, healthy relationships, bright outlooks and abundant faith just "happen" or are we the authors of our respective life journeys? Also, must one descend from royalty to be an effective leader? These questions and so much more!
Andrea and best buddy Simon Anstey kick back and solve all of the world's problems. Israeli culture, political unrest, aliyah and international relations are just of few of the hot-button topics they touch upon, peppered with gales of laughter, of course!
A tiny flame yields enough power to span the universe. Candle by candle, Canukah allows us to reflect upon the miracles that brought us to today and those lay ahead.
A ladder with two feet on the ground that ascends to Heaven symbolizes the situation of all of us. The challenge of constantly climbing the spiritual ladder relies on motivation to reach greater levels of holiness and oneness with God.
Where do our choices lay when navigating fragile issues of parenting, nationalism, safety and faith? This week we tackle the gritty reality of Israeli life along with the ever-present question of "What does God want?"
Israel's voters - religious, secular, sephardic, ashkenazi, and non-Jews - did not overwhelmingly elect the new government out of naivete or hubris. Perhaps it is time for 'friends' who do not live our reality to question their own motives before chastising those who lay their lives on the line for the continued existence of the Jewish state.
Israel's recent election campaign provided plenty of fodder for name calling, biased assumptions and fear mongering.
The Israeli public has expressed, by majority vote, a call for bringing Jewish values, Jewish identity and Jewish tradition to the fore.
Judaism confers unique obligations regarding "nature." Is a rainbow merely a rainbow or something more profound?
Reward, redemption and forgiveness await all who take the first step. Yom Kippur allows us to replace fear with expectation in return for sincere efforts toward bettering ourselves.
The Redemption depends on awareness, clarity and action. No one among us is exempt!
What do 'First Fruits' teach us about Jewish practice and outlook? And what weighs more: Repentance out of fear or repentance born of love?
The Torah commands us to "create justice". Is this even possible when each man possesses different biases, strengths, deficits and status? Tzedek, tzedek! Justice is not an 'end game' but a perpetual work in progress. No one - individual or society - is exempt!
This traditional time of personal stock-taking - chesbon nefesh - has gotten a bad rap! Let's embrace this period to both repair and deepen our relationship with God.
Negative, jaded observations about people and places is fashionable and easy. However, looking beyond the 'outer' and into the souls of both human beings and the holy land of Israel frequently requires loftier, Heaven-centered vision.
Brick-by-brick, Mitzvah-by-mitzvah and kindness-by-kindness, we all have a part in the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash - the Holy Temple.
What 'Temple'??? How can we yearn for something we can't remember? The Three Weeks offer time for much reflection as well as honing our compassion for/connection to others.
Historically, Jews have looked out for one another. Has anything changed?
July 10, 2026 
