BEYOND BARRIERS
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayechi 5786 13 Teves 5786/January 2, 2026 BEYOND BARRIERS I was taught the stories of the Torah and of our greatest leaders when I was young and always felt the stories were fascinating and intriguing. But as I have gotten older, I increasingly wonder how it’s […]
IGNITED FOREVER
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayigash 5786 6 Teves 5786/December 26, 2025 IGNITED FOREVER In 1833, Lord Alfred Tennyson lost his closest friend Arthur Henry Hallam when the 22-year-old Hallam died suddenly. Hallam’s death shattered Tennyson’s world. In a famous poem entitled, In Memoriam A. H. H., Tennyson wrote: “I hold it true, […]
TRUE BLISS
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Miketz 5786 Shabbos Chanukah – Rosh Chodesh Teves 29 Kislev 5786/December 19, 2025 TRUE BLISS To be honest I never heard of Charlie Kirk until he was tragically murdered. But I have now learned that he was a staunch defender of moral values and of Israel. […]
HISTORICAL ACCURACY
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayeshev 5786 22 Kislev 5786/December 11, 2025 HISTORICAL ACCURACY Years ago, I read about a student who told his history teacher that he was jealous of George Washington. The teacher asked him if he was jealous of all George Washington had accomplished as an enduring leader, […]
MATTER OF SPEECH
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayishlach 5786 15 Kislev 5786/December 4, 2025 MATTER OF SPEECH If you’ve ever spoken to an Israeli, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that he/she “said” ehhhh a few times. I don’t have empirical statistics, but experience dictates that, on average, an Israeli says ehhhh once or twice per […]
TRUE GEDOLIM
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayetzei 5786 8 Kislev 5786/November 28, 2025 TRUE GEDOLIM Every time that I have had the opportunity to meet one of the Gedolei Yisroel it’s been an uplifting experience. The common denominator is that these great, busy people who bear such immense responsibility and have to […]
BINAH YESEIRAH
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Toldos 5786 Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5786/November 21, 2025 BINAH YESEIRAH Here’s the understatement of the day: Life is complicated, challenging and confusing. But along the way Hashem provides us with guides – spiritual lights, emotional lights and psychological lights, i.e., great individuals who infuse us with encouragement […]
SELFLESS DEDICATION
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Chayei Sarah 5786 23 MarCheshvan 5786/November 14, 2025 SELFLESS DEDICATION This week the body of murdered IDF sergeant Hadar Goldin finally returned home. Hadar was 23 when he was killed in Gaza on August 1, 2014, an hour after the start of a 72-hour ceasefire during […]
“Six Seven”
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Vayera 5786 16 MarCheshvan 5786/November 7, 2025 Dedicated in loving memory of my Savta, Mrs. Minnie Staum, Shprintza bas Avrohom Yitzchak a”h, upon her yahrtzeit, 17 Cheshvan. This article was inspired by my students, for obvious reasons. SIX SEVEN Years ago, I heard the following joke: […]
ABOVE AND BEYOND
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Lech Lecha 5786 9 MarCheshvan 5786/October 31, 2025 ABOVE & BEYOND What is the secret to leadership, accomplishment and growth? Why do some people accomplish great things while other driven, well-meaning people don’t? Chumash Bereishis introduces us to some of our greatest heroes, most notably the […]