The Rabbi and I

Different religions have different views concerning statutes, pictures, icons, etc. and they all agree that we should not worship anything not worthy of worship. If the object does not help direct us to The One then we are idol worshippers!

School is a place of learning so let’s teach about the validity of the prayers over the over 4000 religions on our planet. Unlike some religions that claim that God only hears their prayers, God hears all prayers.

Do something, make something, build something, don’t leave the bricks in the box. You need to act to make your vision a reality.

Stop choosing to be unhappy, unless of course you want to be unhappy! Accepting the changes around us as they inevitably change leads to happiness.

People are so passionate about issues that don’t affect them and ignore things that actually do. Then we use our religion to impose views on those who have a different religion. I ask my Christian friends to reread the Gospel of St. Mathew 6:5-15. Your religious beliefs are yours, allow me to have mine!

Plastic has been a life changer. Now it is out of control. Not is the time to balance the benefits of plastics with the burden it creates.

Our society ignores dealing with human emotions. Whether it is anger or happiness we do not teach healthy ways to deal with my emotions. We all experience the breadth of emotions, we need to help each other learn not to choose destructive behaviors.

We have all seen our attention span’s shrinking. Attention is a learned behavior. Now is the time to learn to increase our attention span.

Baruch HaShem, thank God that Pope Francis understands and supports the true meaning of the sacraments. At a time when people distort religion for political gain it is good to know that the Churches authority on earth is standing up to religious corruption.

Saying that something is forbidden does not work the way we think it does. Stopping antisocial and dangerous behavior requires more than just a ban.

Social media is the primal stew for conspiracy theories.

Helping families resolve their objections to an interfaith wedding. Marrying outside one’s faith naturally creates anxiety among family members. Listen to ways to reduce anxiety and accept the choices of the wedding couple.

In Numbers 12:1-16 God makes it clear that He had no objection to Moses marrying a black non Hebrew woman, Zipporah. Moses sister, Miriam, criticizes her brother for marrying the Cushite daughter of a Midianite priest and is struck with Leprosy.

Human beings crave novelty. Is the new and exciting programmed into us? Or is it just that advertising makes us think that we crave new experiences and new stuff?

The Talmud teaches that there are times when you are required to lie. Wait a minute, isn’t telling the truth a commandment? Come and listen to when you must lie!

Religion has been as destructive as it has been helpful. The reason lies not in religious teachings but in what people have done in the name of religion.

Is creativity always the result of personal tragedy? It appears that creativity comes from a tragic life. However not everyone who has a tragic life is creative. What is going on?

Protecting our Constitutional right to bear arms while protecting our citizens from harm. It is time to stop arguing either everyone can be armed or no one can have a gun. Both extremes are unrealistic and unacceptable.

Since we can’t really conceive of our own death, is death something we should fear? We know that we will die some day. Why waste time fearing the inevitable.

Two years of the Covid pandemic taught us many things, but did we learn anything? Have we transferred what we learned into action? Did we miss a great opportunity to make life better?

Judaism teaches that community worship is important and not as important as home observances. The home is where we unite with God on a daily basis.

How do I know if my prayers are answered?

Who doesn’t like a good miracle, I know I do.

Food and memories are are tied together. Can't you taste the Christmas ham or the Chanukah latkes? Let's enjoy holiday foods together.

History has taught us that forcing citizens to practice the same religion does not have a good outcome. You can only freely practice your religion if I am free to practice mine.

Can't you taste Passover foods and Easter dinner?

Our most vivid memories are there foods we eat. Listen as we explore religion and food.

It is time to stop waisting our efforts on the tools people use to express anger and focus on the causes of the anger. American society is an angry society. Gun violence will decrease as we turn down the anger in politics, in schools, and in the work place.

Judaism and Buddhism are 2 sides of the same coin. They are not mutually exclusive. Each has its own rituals and rituals are not the center of the religion, the teachings and beliefs are at the center.

Staying connected with the Force puts you in harmony with the universe. Block the force and you risk alienation with what is.

A good whupping will keep the child from getting spoiled. Just because sage advice has been passed down from generation to generation doesn’t make it true.

Vegetables are the future for survival! War has solved a lot of problems and the solution was never good.

Now that the CDC has approved a fourth dose or the vaccine should I get the first dose? What other vaccines have to had? Have they prevented you from being hospitalized or from having serious illness?

We heard it, we saw it, we heard it, publicity money can’t buy!

Continue listening to whether the “Last Super” was a lPassover Seder” or not.

Was the “Last Supper” a “Passover Seder?”

Addiction is not limited to drug, sex, and rock and roll. How do you deal with your addictions? Admit it we all all addicts.

We all want to win, but at what expense? What has the obsession with winning done to our children? Go ahead and win at all costs, do you like the results?

Ambition and reality need to go hand in hand. Don’t let your ego outstrip reality.

Government intrusion is a problem for all of us. How Much government is enough government?

Clothing, rules, and Woman’s clothing, Not In That Order!

Cultural views of women and of course the Torah.

If you are not going to forget what happened then don’t forgive. Remembering and retelling what someone did to us does us harm.

A GPS does not guide us in making moral decisions.

Rabbi Block disagrees with a recent decision of the church. #rabbi

God I want to hear fro You, I don’t want to hear what someone says you say! And if not now when.

Eli, eli, lama azbtaniאלי אלי למה עזבתני Psalm 22:2

Suffering is ubiquitous. Where is God when we suffer?

Views of Rabbi Block as a past 10 year member of the Harford County Maryland School Board and past President.

There are times when you are required to lie and other times when you forbidden to lie. Listen and learn how to navigate the tricky use of language.