Ariel Chaim

Torah Dedication in Memory of Ariel Chaim, Z’L

September 12, 2019 by Robert J. Avrech 7 Comments

Karen and I dedicated a Torah to our synagogue in memory of our son Ariel Chaim, Z’L. On the evening of August 22, at our home, there was a ceremony where the last hundred letters of the Torah were filled in by our friend, a scribe, with a few dozen honored family and friends present.
*All Photos: Steve Cohn Photography www.stevecohnphotography.com (310) 277-2054 © 2019*

In his 1899 Harper’s Monthly essay, “Concerning the Jews”, Mark Twain concludes his reflection on the Jewish people with a question.

All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?

There is no secret.

At least not to those of us who understand Jewish history and our eternal covenant with HaShem.

The Jewish people are immortal because of their adherence to the Torah.

Friday Photos: The High Horse Edition

February 6, 2015 by Robert J. Avrech 24 Comments

John Wayne and Jeffrey Hunter on their high horses, “The Searchers”, 1956. — John Wayne (right) on his high horse, “The Searchers”, 1956.

At the National Prayer Breakfast yesterday, Barack Obama warned that we should not “get on our high horse” over the immolation of Royal Jordanian Air Force pilot 1st Lt. Muadh al-Kasasbeh because Christians used to burn people too.

It shocking and reprehensible that two days after Islamic terrorists burn a man alive, the President of the United States sternly lectures the American people about the 800-year-old Inquisition.

There have been over 25,000 Muslim acts of terror since 9-11. There is a cancer in the house of Islam. If you deny this, you deny reality. And if you deny reality, you are all but surrendering to bloodthirsty Islamic terrorists.

Obama’s depraved moral calculus is that of an adolescent who’s been blowing dope and experiencing, y’know, like, deep thoughts.

Those who draw a moral equivalence between ancient Christianity and contemporary Islamists should be shunned by responsible adults.

Decent people whose moral compass is intact will mount a high horse — and stay there.

A few pictures to alleviate the gathering darkness.

Friday Photos — Scattered Edition

November 21, 2014 by Robert J. Avrech 7 Comments

Usually, we publish photos organized around a central theme.

Not today.

We’re feeling a bit scattered. We’re spooked by the Emperor Obama, by what’s happening to this country. And of course by the Arab Muslim war against the Jews. The Iranians are edging closer to becoming a nuclear power. We are watching various national and international calamities unfold in slow motion. We feel helpless. And there are days when we feel, yup, hopeless.

Anyhoo.

Here are a few photos that, we hope, will lift your mood.

Friday Photos: Totally Random

November 8, 2013 by Robert J. Avrech 9 Comments

Grace Kelly and Jimmy Stewart in publicity still for Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece, “Rear Window.” — Grace Kelly and Jimmy Stewart in a publicity still for Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 masterpiece, Rear Window.

Usually, we publish photos that have a central theme.

Not today.

We’re feeling a bit scattered. Perhaps we’re spooked by ObamaCare, by what’s happening to this country. We are watching a national calamity unfold in slow motion, and we are helpless to stop it.

In any case, here are a few photos, most taken by yours truly, with an iPhone.

First, Progressives Ban Circumcision…

October 7, 2013 by Robert J. Avrech 13 Comments

Yours truly, was sandek at the brit milah of our first grandson, Ariel Chaim, a few weeks ago. According to Jewish law any nation that outlaws Jewish circumcision is de facto, at war with Torah Judaism. — Yours truly (seated) was sandek at the brit milah of our first grandson, Ariel Chaim, a few weeks ago. According to Jewish law, any nation that outlaws Jewish circumcision is, de facto, at war with Torah Judaism, and must be resisted.

Study Jewish history and you will immediately recognize three narratives used by Jew-haters to delegitimize Judaism—all in the name of tolerance and humanity.

Brit milah, circumcision
Shehitah, or ritual slaughter of animals for food
Torah study

The commandment of circumcision—brit milah—is found in Genesis 17:10-14 and Leviticus 12:3.

And since Abraham, brit milah—Judaism’s sign of the eternal covenant between G-d and the Jewish people—has been under sustained attack.

The Greeks, the Romans, and the Nazis all banned circumcision.

Kashrut (dietary laws) is another fundamental of Judaism. Thus, inevitably, ritual slaughter is attacked as cruel and barbaric.

Of course, those who oppose ritual slaughter and circumcision in the name of progress and humanity are almost always a bunch of genocide-yearning Jew-haters.