PARSHAS NOACH 5778
STAM TORAH PARSHAS NOACH 5778 “ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP”[1] “Most people live the life that happens, instead of the life that they truly want.”[2] Noach is described by the Torah as being, צדיק תמים – perfectly righteous. Yet, he is always held up to the standard of Avrohom Avinu. Therefore, as great as […]
PARSHAS NOACH 5778
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Noach/ Rosh Chodesh MarCheshvan 30 Tishrei 5778/October 20, 2017 What an incredible few weeks it’s been! The tefilllos, special mitzvos, extra family time, trips, and wonderful meals are all part of what makes the Yom Tov season such an incredible experience. But, all good things must come […]
SIMCHAS TORAH 5778
STAM TORAH SIMCHAS TORAH 5778 “UNINHIBITED JOY” One year on Simchas Torah, the Chelkas Yaakov[1] noticed one of the members of his shul dancing with intense fervor and devotion. The man was not well versed in Torah, and didn’t learn much throughout the year. For some time, the Chelkas Yaakov watched in fascination as the […]
SIMCHAS TORAH 5778
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Hoshanah Rabbah/Erev Shemini Atzeres 21 Tishrei 5778/ October 11, 2017 A friend related that this year, aside from his other “kabbalos” (spiritual New Year’s resolutions), he has also accepted upon himself not to get angry or frustrated if/when he “messes up”. It’s actually a brilliant and integral tactical move. We are […]
SUCCOS 5778
STAM TORAH SUCCOS 5778 “HOME AWAY FROM HOME” Once upon a time, the world existed without Waze and GPS systems. People had to rely on finding out driving directions before they left on their destination. If they didn’t they risked getting lost. In that archaic world (from not-too-long-ago), the first part of the […]
SUCCOS 5778
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Succos 14 Tishrei 5778/ October 4, 2017 Shortly before we left to camp this past June, our landscaper did some cleanup work around our yard. That included clearing pieces of wood that had been stacked on the side of our house for quite some time, left there by a lazy […]
SHABBOS SHUVA/YOM KIPPUR 5778
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh -Yom Kippur 9 Tishrei 5778/ September In our home, we take the custom of eating challah with honey during this time of year, very seriously. If having honey is symbolic to have a sweet, new year, we aren’t taking any chances of abrogating that symbolism. In our family, […]
SHABBOS SHUVA/YOM KIPPUR 5778
L’zecher nishmas Alexander ben Nuteh Yitzchok STAM TORAH SHABBOS SHUVA/YOM KIPPUR 5778 “TEAR DOWN THIS WALL” The great gaon, Rabbi Yaakov Yosef zt’l, was renown in Lithuanian Vilna as an erudite scholar, versed in all areas of Torah. He held many Rabbinic posts, his most prestigious being the head of the Beis Din […]
ROSH HASHANAH 5778
STAM TORAH ROSH HASHANAH 5778 “ALONE WITH YOURSELF” Dr. David Pelcovits related the following story: “A number of years ago, a man who is a respected and well-known personality in the yeshiva world, approached me to seek my guidance in dealing with his son. His son was involved in terrible things and the situation […]
ROSH HASHANAH 5778
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Rosh Hashanah 29 Elul 5777/ September 20, 2017 One morning this past week, a photographer came to yeshiva to take pictures of the beginning of the new z’man (semester). As can be imagined, as soon as he entered the classroom, all the boys looked at him. He motioned that everyone […]