Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei – Parshas HaChodesh Mevorchim Chodesh Nissan – Shabbos Chazak! 24 Adar 5783/March 17, 2023 לזכר נשמת נטע יצחק בן אלכסנדר ז”ל NOSTALGIC ANTICIPATION My first position in chinuch about two decades ago, was as an elementary school social worker in Yeshiva Bais HaChinuch in Spring […]
Pashas Ki Sisa 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Ki Sisa – Parshas Parah 17 Adar 5783/March 10, 2023 לזכר נשמת נטע יצחק בן אלכסנדר ז”ל This Shabbos, 18 Adar, marks the first yahrtzeit of my beloved father-in-law, Mr. Nathan Mermelstein, נטע יצחק בן אלכסנדר. There is a tremendous void in our hearts, […]
Parshas Tetzaveh 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Tetzaveh/Zachor 10 Adar 5783/March 3, 2023 לזכר נשמת נטע יצחק בן אלכסנדר ז”ל VERY FRESH In my sixth-grade literature book there was a section explaining that words can have different meanings. To elucidate the concept, it contained the following joke: “Why did the baker get […]
Parshas Terumah 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Terumah 3 Adar 5783/February 24, 2023 לזכר נשמת נטע יצחק בן אלכסנדר ז”ל ROYAL RESTRAINT By now the world has moved on from the news of the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth. But a few weeks ago, it was all everyone could talk about. […]
Parshas Mishpatim 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Mishpatim Shabbos Shekalim – Mevorchim Chodesh Adar 27 Shevat 5783/February 17, 2023 לזכר נשמת נטע יצחק בן אלכסנדר ז”ל PRECONCEIVED LOVE On one occasion, after my wife and I had gone out for breakfast together (an occasion that doesn’t happen enough), we went to one […]
Parshas Yisro 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Yisro 19 Shevat 5783/February 10, 2023 לזכר נשמת נטע יצחק בן אלכסנדר ז”ל YEARNING & LEARNING It was the morning of the first day of the camp season at Camp Dora Golding a number of summers ago. I was a division head and was davening […]
Parshas Beshalach 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Beshalach – Shabbos Shirah 12 Shevat 5783/February 3, 2023 FOREVER OURS In a commencement address to the Eagle Hill School Class of 2013, noted educator, Rick Lavoie, spoke about the importance of education. Towards the end of his lecture, he related the following: “I don’t […]
Parshas Bo 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Bo 5 Shevat 5783/January 27, 2023 DIG DEEP I always think it’s ironic when a security guard in the airport asks me the purpose of my visit to Israel. It would be a valid question if I was visiting London or Paris. But does a Jew […]
Parshas Vaeira 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vaera 27 Teves 5783/January 20, 2023 Mevorchim Chodesh Shevat AT HOME On the morning of the fast of Asarah b’Teves a few weeks ago, I wanted to speak to my ninth-grade class about the reason and significance of the fast. I began by asking them “so, […]
Parshas Shemos 5783
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Shemos 20 Teves 5783/January 13, 2023 ABAYEI AND RAVA One of the many virtues of being a rebbe in Heichal HaTorah, is the yeshiva’s Rebbe’s room. I pick up many great Torah thoughts, perspectives and stories from my far more esteemed colleagues. One morning […]