PERCEPTIVE REALITY
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Tazria-Metzora 30 Nissan 5786/ April 17, 2026 Rosh Chodesh Iyar – Avos perek 2 PERCEPTIVE REALITY It’s been said that reality is based on perception! Or, said differently, we don’t live in a world of reality; we live in a world of perceptions. What I perceive […]
THE LONG ROAD
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Pesach 5786 14 Nissan 5786/ April 1, 2026 THE LONG ROAD The weeks leading up to Pesach are always an exciting time in yeshiva. Learning Haggadah, warmer weather and longer days are certainly all part of that excitement. In addition, many alumni, who have returned home from their various yeshivos […]
YOU SHALL LIVE
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Tzav / Shabbos HaGadol 5786 9 Nissan 5786/ March 26, 2026 YOU SHALL LIVE I am blessed to have three wonderful brothers-in-law, each of whom I enjoy spending time with, though they are very different from each other. One of the attributes of my brother-in-law, Baruch, is […]
SAY WHAT
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayikra 5786 2 Nissan 5786/ March 20, 2026 SAY WHAT The fourth of Nissan is the yahrtzeit of my esteemed sabbah (grandfather), my father’s father, Mr. Abe Staum z”l, Avrohom Yosef ben Naftali Hertz a”h. My Sabbah davened in the Polisiher Shteeble on the Lower East Side […]
TRUE COLORS
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Ki Vayakhel-Pekudei 5786 – Parshas HaChodesh 24 Adar 5786/ March 13, 2026 TRUE COLORS An author always seeks to conclude his writing with a poignant and memorable ending. It is integral to have a captivating opener to pique the interest of the reader, and it is vital […]
AH GANTZ YAHR PURIM
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Ki Sisa 5786 – Parshas Parah 17 Adar 5786/ March 6, 2026 Dedicated in loving memory of my father-in-law, Mr. Nathan Mermelstein, Nata Yitzchak ben Alexander a”h, whose yahrtzeit is this Shabbos, 18 Adar. AH GANTZ YAHR PURIM The morning after Purim ended, I asked a friend […]
NAME THAT MESSAGE
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Tetzaveh 5786 – Parshas Zachor 10 Adar 5786/February 27, 2026 NAME THAT MESSAGE The great American philosophers, Bud Abbot and Lou Costello, introduced America to a baseball team comprised of players with bizarre names. Who is on first, What is on second, I Don’t Know is on […]
VAST AND PRICELESS
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Terumah 5786 3 Adar 5786/February 20, 2026 VAST AND PRICELESS I love wearing my tallis on Shabbos mornings to and from shul. It gives me a regal feeling. It may therefore be surprising that I almost never wear my tallis to shul. Rav Yaakov Kamentesky zt”l was […]
EDUCATIONAL RESONANCE
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Mishpatim/Shekalim 5786 Mevorchim Chodesh Adar 26 Shevat 5786/February 13, 2026 EDUCATIONAL RESONANCE This week I attended our fourth-grade twins’ siyum on Mishnayos Yoma in their yeshiva, the Yeshiva of Spring Valley. Most of maseches Yoma is dedicated to describing the special avodah performed by the Kohain Gadol […]
THE GREAT EAGLE
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Yisro 5786 19 Shevat 5786/February 6, 2026 THE GREAT EAGLE In 1782 The American Bald Eagle was adopted as the US national emblem, symbolizing strength, freedom and independence. It was chosen because of its long life, majestic appearance, and great strength. The Jewish people have our own […]