WHEN THE LIGHTS DIM
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Beha’aloscha 17 Sivan 5785/June 13, 2025 Avos perek 2 WHEN THE LIGHTS DIM At the end of our daughter’s chasunah a few weeks ago, our family met downstairs in the Kallah’s room. After gathering their things, we said goodbye to the Chosson and Kallah and they […]
PENNY FOR YOUR PENNY
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Bamidbar, Erev Shavuos 4 Sivan 5779/June 7, 2019 Avos perek 6 – 48sh day of the Omer PENNY FOR YOUR PENNY I once heard the following observation – if someone tells you “A penny for your thoughts” and you stick in your two cents, do you […]
WELCOME HOME
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Yom Yerushalayim 28 Iyar 5785/ May 26, 2025 WECLOME HOME In my early adulthood years, I lived in my parent’s home, albeit somewhat limitedly. It was the best of all worlds. I slept in the yeshiva dorm and was often away for Shabbos. But if I was in the mood for […]
SPAM SCAM
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Behar-Bechukosai Avos perek 5 – Mevorchim Chodesh Sivan 25 Iyar 5785/ May 23, 2025 SPAM SCAM This past week our yeshiva, Heichal HaTorah, marked and celebrated its 12th annual dinner. It was a beautiful event, but also quite emotional as it was dedicated to the memory of […]
TRUE ROYALTY
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Emor Avos perek 4 – Lag b’Omer 18 Iyar 5785/ May 16, 2025 TRUE ROYALTY I was fortunate to spend a few summers together with Rabbi Yechiel Weberman when he was a rebbe at Camp Dora Golding. Rabbi Weberman is a dynamic and beloved rebbe, the type […]
WEDDING REFLECTIONS
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Achrei Mos – Kedoshim Avos perek 3 – 20th day of the Omer 11 Iyar 5785/ May 9, 2025 WEDDING REFLECTIONS Last week my wife and I were blessed to marry off our daughter, Aviva. Aviva is our second child but the first from our family to […]
MISSION IMPROBABLE
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Tazria-Metzora Avos perek 2 – 19th day of the Omer 4 Iyar 5785/ May 2, 2025 MISSION IMPROBABLE The following thoughts are adapted from the speech I delivered at the afruf of our new son-in-law, Shloime Stern, Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Shemini 5785: I guess it’s because our […]
ROLLING ALONG
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Shemini Mevorchim Chodesh Iyar Avos perek 1 – 12th day of the Omer 27 Nissan 5785/ April 25, 2025 ROLLING ALONG As I have done during the last few winters, this past January I had the great fortune to visit Eretz Yisroel for a few days. Being […]
WHY QUESTIONS?
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Tzav/ Shabbos HaGadol/ Pesach 13 Nissan 5785/ April 11, 2025 WHY QUESTIONS? On January 19, 1988, the New York Times posted the following letter to the editor: “Isidor I. Rabi, the Nobel laureate in physics who died Jan. 11, was once asked, ”Why did you become a […]
INNER CHOMETZ
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayikra 6 Nissan 5785/ April 4, 2025 Dedicated in loving memory of my Sabbah, Mrs. Abe Staum, Avrohom Yosef ben Naftali Hertz haLevi a”h, whose yahrtzeit was on 4 Nissan. INNER CHOMETZ Erev Pesach is an intensely busy time. It’s also a very hungry time. By late […]