PARSHAS LECH LECHA 5778
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Lech Lecha 7 Cheshvan 5778/October 27, 2017 This week, Mesivta Ohr Naftali of New Windsor, NY, where I am privileged to serve as General Studies Principal each afternoon, celebrated a special milestone. They have just completed the construction of a magnificent new Bais Medrash, and it […]
PARSHAS NOACH 5778
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Noach/ Rosh Chodesh MarCheshvan 30 Tishrei 5778/October 20, 2017 What an incredible few weeks it’s been! The tefilllos, special mitzvos, extra family time, trips, and wonderful meals are all part of what makes the Yom Tov season such an incredible experience. But, all good things must come […]
SIMCHAS TORAH 5778
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Hoshanah Rabbah/Erev Shemini Atzeres 21 Tishrei 5778/ October 11, 2017 A friend related that this year, aside from his other “kabbalos” (spiritual New Year’s resolutions), he has also accepted upon himself not to get angry or frustrated if/when he “messes up”. It’s actually a brilliant and integral tactical move. We are […]
SUCCOS 5778
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Succos 14 Tishrei 5778/ October 4, 2017 Shortly before we left to camp this past June, our landscaper did some cleanup work around our yard. That included clearing pieces of wood that had been stacked on the side of our house for quite some time, left there by a lazy […]
SHABBOS SHUVA/YOM KIPPUR 5778
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh -Yom Kippur 9 Tishrei 5778/ September In our home, we take the custom of eating challah with honey during this time of year, very seriously. If having honey is symbolic to have a sweet, new year, we aren’t taking any chances of abrogating that symbolism. In our family, […]
ROSH HASHANAH 5778
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Rosh Hashanah 29 Elul 5777/ September 20, 2017 One morning this past week, a photographer came to yeshiva to take pictures of the beginning of the new z’man (semester). As can be imagined, as soon as he entered the classroom, all the boys looked at him. He motioned that everyone […]
PARSHIOS NETZOVIM-VAYELECH 5777
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Netzovim-Vayelech 24 Elul 5777/ September 15, 2017 – Avos Perek 5-6 This week marked the sixteenth anniversary of the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001. A few years ago, on September 11, I was teaching my fifth-grade class at Ashar, and was reminiscing about that fateful and […]
PARSHAS KI SAVO 5777
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Ki Savo 17 Elul 5777/ September 8, 2017 – Avos Perek 3-4 This past Wednesday, parents in the Tri-state area gleefully celebrated the return of their children to school. No doubt they are thrilled that their children will be learning Torah and broadening the horizons of their […]
PARSHAS KI SEITZI 5777
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Ki Setzei 10 Elul 5777/ September 1, 2017 – Avos Perek 2 It’s hard to believe that we are approaching the first birthday of our twin boys, Gavriel Yehuda and Michael Binyamin. As has been noted in earlier columns, their pregnancy was fraught with challenges, to say […]
PARSHAS SHOFTIM 5777
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Shoftim 3 Elul 5777/ August 25, 2017 – Avos Perek 1 During the last couple of weeks, our three-and-a-half (and one quarter) year old son, Dovid, wakes up every morning and asks if it’s Shabbos Kodesh. I wish I could say that he’s so drawn to the […]