Parshas Vayechi 5784
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayechi – Shabbos Chazak! 17 Teves 5784/ December 29, 2023 KEEPING WARM Winter means different things to different people. For those living further south, it’s time to enjoy the sun without it being too hot. But for the majority of us living further north, […]
Parshas Vayigash 5784
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayigash – Asarah b’Teves 10 Teves 5784/ December 22, 2023 LIFE’S CLIFFHANGERS One of the great techniques of drama is to use a cliffhanger. When the power of suspense is harnessed, it ensures that the reader/viewer will stay tuned to find out what happens next. […]
Parshas Mikeitz 5784
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Miketz – Zos Chanukah 3 Teves 5784/ December 15, 2023 MISSION FOR LIFE On Thursday mornings I have a weekly phone conversation with our older son Shalom, who is learning in Eretz Yisroel. Often our conversation centers on the parsha. Recently he asked me why […]
Parshas Vayeishev, Shabbos Chanukah, Shabbos Mevorchim 5784
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayeshev 25 Kislev 5784/ December 8, 2023 Mevorchim Chodesh Teves BE AND FEEL A former colleague who is a wonderful educator would address his students each day before the students began afternoon classes. For a while he would end each day’s announcements by bidding the […]
Parshas Vayishlach 5784
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayishlach 18 Kislev 5784/ December 1, 2023 CONCEALED LIGHT Not far from our home in Monsey/Spring Valley is the Jewish cemetery where many great tzaddikim are buried. There is an enclosed area, where, most notably, is the kever of the Ribnitzer Rebbe. In the vicinity are the […]
Parshas Vayeitzei 5784
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayetzei 11 Kislev 5784/November 24, 2023 FEEL IT It’s part of the paradox of our times. The more comfort, amenities, and conveniences we have, the more anxious and depressed we seem to become. Despite all our technological advancements, we are unable to predict or […]
Parshas Toldos 5784
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Toldos 4 Kislev 5784/November 17, 2023 SURPRISE SHOWER During a Tuesday evening a few weeks ago, one of our younger sons asked me to turn the shower on for him. Being that the first burst of water is cold water, he wanted the water […]
Parshas Chayei Sara 5784
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Chayei Sarah 26 MarCheshvan 5784/November 10, 2023 Mevorchim Chodesh Kislev BROTHERLY LOVE The month of Cheshvan is the only month on the Jewish calendar that has no unique endemic avodah. Even months that contain a fast day have special focus and significance. For me personally, […]
Parshas Vayeira 5784
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayera 19 MarCheshvan 5784/November 3, 2023 ONE PLUS ONE Shortly before I married, I spent a Succos in a yeshiva for Russian boys in Copenhagen, Denmark. After Succos ended, I had the opportunity to visit a couple of nearby countries in Europe. One of the […]
Parshas Lech Lecha 5784
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Lech Lecha 12 MarCheshvan 5783/October 27, 2023 לז”ן זקנתי מרתי שפרינצע בת אברהם יצחק This Musings is dedicated in memory of my beloved Savta, Mrs. Minnie Staum, whose yahrtzeit is 17 Cheshvan TIMELESS WORDS When I think about my Bubby, Rebbetzin Fruma Kohn a”h, […]