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 […]
THE LAST DANCE
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Noach 5786 2 MarCheshvan 5786/October 24, 2025 THE LAST DANCE On the way to shul on Simchas Torah morning, someone noted that he often wondered why we have hakafos before Kerias HaTorah. Do we ever dance and celebrate at a siyum before the actual siyum? I […]
LIFT OFF
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Hoshanah Rabbah 5786 20 Tishrei 5786/October 13, 2025 LIFT OFF I made an interesting observation during the first day of Succos. Pesach is very focused on foods we eat and stories we share. The mouth is the primary part of the body used to fulfill the mitzvos of redemption. Shavuos, […]
DIVINE AIR FRESHENER
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Succos 5786 14 Tishrei 5786/October 6, 2025 DIVINE AIR FRESHENER Our family was away for Shabbos recently. When we arrived home, as soon as we walked through the front door we were greeted by a putrid smell. I ran to the basement and then upstairs fearing a lot of different […]
DANGEROUS CONFESSION
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Yom Kippur 5786 9 Tishrei 5786/October 1, 2025 DANGEROUS CONFESSION When our children became old enough to take a bath by themselves it was definitely a relief. Being able to send them to the bath without having to be there saved time and energy. The first few times however, […]