PARSHAS CHAYEI SARAH 5779
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Chayei Sarah 24 Cheshvan 5779/November 2, 2018 Mevorchim Chodesh Kislev Last year on December 25, 2017, Heichal HaTorah hosted a grandfather-grandson morning of Torah learning. It was beautiful and touching to see grandfathers sitting next to their grandsons learning together. On that morning, I was about to […]
PARSHAS VAYERA 5779
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayera 17 Cheshvan 5779/October 26, 2018 On Yom Kippur a few weeks ago, all day long I couldn’t stop thinking about Titus. That may sound strange, being that Titus is one of the infamous villains recounted on Tisha B’av. He was the commanding Roman general who oversaw […]
PARSHAS LECH LECHA 5779
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Lech Lecha 10 Cheshvan 5779/October 19, 2018 It’s not just proper protocol and good manners, but it’s actually an ancient custom mentioned in the gemara. When someone invites you to their home, it’s proper to give them a gift. The gemara (Megilla 26a) states “Abayei said: we […]
PARSHAS NOACH 5779
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Noach 3 Cheshvan 5779/October 12, 2018 In Boston they are rejoicing, in Queens they are breathing a sigh of relief, and in the Bronx they are grumbling morbidly. The Yankees season is over! 2018 will not be the year the Yankees win their 28th Championship! To lose […]
PARSHAS BEREISHIS 5779
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Bereishis Mevorchim Chodesh MarCheshvan 27 Tishrei 5779/October 5, 2018 Every year on Shabbos Parshas Bereishis, I would begin my brilliant sermon (I only gave brilliant sermons) in the following manner: “We set out on an incredible journey seven weeks ago. It begin with shofar blowing and […]
Shabbos Chol Hamoed Succos 5779
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Chol Hamoed Succos 19 Tishrei 5779/September 28, 2018 Contemporary halachic authorities rule that one may not run a washing machine or dishwasher in his home during Shabbos. One may not even leave it on before Shabbos so that it will continue to run after Shabbos begins, nor may […]
Parshas Vayelech – Shabbas Shuva 5779
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayelech – Shabbas Shuva 5 Tishrei 5779/September 14, 2018 With tremendous gratitude to Hashem, we just celebrated the second birthday of our twin sons, Gavriel and Michael. They started the ‘wonderful twos’ early and definitely have been keeping us on our toes, to say the least. One […]
PARSHAS NETZOVIM 5778 ROSH HASHANAH 5779
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Netzovim – Avos perakim 5-6 27 Elul 5778/September 7, 2018 A few years ago, Chani took our younger children to one of the local Jewish owned shoe stores to buy shoes. The store had a section with slides and climbing toys for children. Our (then) 5-year-old daughter […]
PARSHAS KI SAVO 5778
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Ki Savo – Avos perakim 3-4 20 Elul 5778/August 31, 2018 It’s the million-dollar question – why do we feel like we never change? The truth is that the question itself is a fallacy. Who doesn’t change over time? The experiences of life invariably effect and change […]
PARSHAS KI SETZEI 5778
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Ki Setzei – Avos perakim 1-2 13 Elul 5778/August 24, 2018 Sometimes it’s the simplest events that leave the greatest impressions. Several summers ago, a camper crossed the line and needed to be disciplined. I was the camper’s division head, but I felt the situation warranted the […]