TRUE ROYALTY
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Emor Avos perek 4 – Lag b’Omer 18 Iyar 5785/ May 16, 2025 TRUE ROYALTY I was fortunate to spend a few summers together with Rabbi Yechiel Weberman when he was a rebbe at Camp Dora Golding. Rabbi Weberman is a dynamic and beloved rebbe, the type […]
WEDDING REFLECTIONS
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Achrei Mos – Kedoshim Avos perek 3 – 20th day of the Omer 11 Iyar 5785/ May 9, 2025 WEDDING REFLECTIONS Last week my wife and I were blessed to marry off our daughter, Aviva. Aviva is our second child but the first from our family to […]
MISSION IMPROBABLE
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Tazria-Metzora Avos perek 2 – 19th day of the Omer 4 Iyar 5785/ May 2, 2025 MISSION IMPROBABLE The following thoughts are adapted from the speech I delivered at the afruf of our new son-in-law, Shloime Stern, Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Shemini 5785: I guess it’s because our […]
ROLLING ALONG
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Shemini Mevorchim Chodesh Iyar Avos perek 1 – 12th day of the Omer 27 Nissan 5785/ April 25, 2025 ROLLING ALONG As I have done during the last few winters, this past January I had the great fortune to visit Eretz Yisroel for a few days. Being […]
WHY QUESTIONS?
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Tzav/ Shabbos HaGadol/ Pesach 13 Nissan 5785/ April 11, 2025 WHY QUESTIONS? On January 19, 1988, the New York Times posted the following letter to the editor: “Isidor I. Rabi, the Nobel laureate in physics who died Jan. 11, was once asked, ”Why did you become a […]
INNER CHOMETZ
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayikra 6 Nissan 5785/ April 4, 2025 Dedicated in loving memory of my Sabbah, Mrs. Abe Staum, Avrohom Yosef ben Naftali Hertz haLevi a”h, whose yahrtzeit was on 4 Nissan. INNER CHOMETZ Erev Pesach is an intensely busy time. It’s also a very hungry time. By late […]
MIRROR IMAGE
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Pekudei/Chazak/HaChodesh 28 Adar 5785/ March 28, 2025 MIRROR IMAGE So, there was my car, minding its own business, parked on the side of the road just up the block from yeshiva. It was the morning of Ta’anis Esther, and it would be a busy afternoon for me, […]
CELESTIAL INVITATION
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayakhel/Parah 21 Adar 5785/ March 21, 2025 CELESTIAL INVITATION This week I brought an invitation to my father-in-law for our daughter Aviva’s wedding in a few weeks. It was quite an emotionally draining experience. The wind was howling as I stood in front of his kever in […]
MATH WOES
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Ki Sisa/PURIM 14 Adar 5785/ March 14, 2025 MATH WOES For some people March 14 is an exciting day because 3-14 is pi day. Personally, I’ve never been much of a numbers guy. You can ask my mother or any of my teachers in school. I probably […]
REPRESENTATION TAXATION
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Tetzaveh/Zachor 8 Adar 5785/ March 7, 2025 REPRESENTATION TAXATION One of the beloved aspects of Purim for children is the universal custom to bang and make a ruckus when the name of Haman is mentioned. Normally, in shul we are bidden to act with utmost discipline and […]