Parshas Mikeitz Shabbos Chanuka 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Miketz – Shabbos Chanukah Erev Rosh Chodesh Teves 29 Kislev 5783/December 23, 2022 GLORY OF A STORY In the introduction to his book, The Gates of the Forest, Elie Wiesel wrote that “G-d created the world because He loves stories.” The Jewish world gives a great […]
Parshas Vayeishev 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayeshev Mevorchim Chodesh Teves 22 Kislev 5783/December 16, 2022 WHO KNOWS? At the beginning of Shmoneh Esrei we praise Hashem, as “gomel chasadim tovim – grants good kindness.” It seems like strange vernacular. Is there kindness that isn’t good? Mr. Yossi Grunwald, a friend of my father, […]
Parshas Vayishlach 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayishlach 15 Kislev 5783/December 9, 2022 LIGHT OF HOLY LIFE I have had the zechus to be a rebbe and guidance counselor in a few wonderful yeshivos during my career in chinuch. One of my talmidim, Yossi Glanz, was a student in my shiur […]
Parshas Vayeitzei 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayetzei 8 Kislev 5783/December 2, 2022 PICKLE PEOPLE In celebration of her Bas Mitzvah last week, my daughter Chayala and I went on a father-daughter outing. No, we didn’t go to Eretz Yisroel, LA or Miami. Far more exciting than that, we went to visit the […]
Parshas Toldos 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Toldos 1 Kislev 5783/November 25, 2022 Rosh Chodesh Kislev OH SNOW It’s fascinating how something can be so exciting for one person and so anxiety-provoking and upsetting to another person. During the winter last year, I had the good fortune to spend a week in Eretz Yisroel […]
Parshas Chayei Sara 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Chayei Sarah 24 MarCheshvan 5783/November 18, 2022 Mevorchim Chodesh Kislev BACK ISSUES There is something special about sitting on the lap of a grandparent. It’s even more special when that grandparent begins to rub or scratch your back. I have nostalgic memories sitting on my Bubby’s […]
Parshas Vayeira 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayera 17 MarCheshvan 5783/November 11, 2022 Dedicated in loving memory of my Savta, Mrs. Minnie Staum, Shprintza bas Avrohom Yitzchak a”h, whose yahrtzeit is 17 Cheshvan. ALL THE LEAVES Although I have been living in Monsey most of my life, for my first eight years […]
Parshas Lech Lecha 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Lech Lecha 10 MarCheshvan 5783/November 4, 2022 INHERITANCE FUND One morning this week, I opened my email to find the following message: “Good morning. There is an inheritance fund left in your name. Thank you.” I was very excited. I felt honored that some anonymous person […]
Parshas Noach 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Ha’azinu – Succos 12 Tishrei 5783/October 7, 2022 ROOSTER WOES For the past few summers Camp Dora Golding, our summer home, has had a bunch of chickens on campus. The director of camp’s wilderness program constructed a sophisticated coop and the chickens enjoy free room and […]
Parshas Bereishis 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Bereishis 26 Tishrei 5783/October 21, 2022 Mevorchim Chodesh Cheshvan HAND EMOTIONS Succos is a multi-sensory celebration, celebrated with every facet of our being. The mitzvah of succah is one of only two mitzvos performed with one’s entire body (the other being yishuv Eretz Yisroel). The Kotzker […]