Parshas Vayelech – Shabbas Shuva 5777
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayelech – Shabbas Shuva 5 Tishrei 5777/ October 7, 2016 It wasn’t easy getting a meeting with the king. How many strings did he have to pull, how many connections did he have to utilize, to get those precious few moments with the king? Wouldn’t you think […]
PARSHAS NETZOVIM 5776
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Netzovim 27 Elul Av 5776/ September 30, 2016 Pirkei Avos – Perakim 5-6 Nothing these days seems to be simple. Simple is too boring for us. So everything has to have a lot of fanfare and become a big production. This includes the packaging of products. Sometimes […]
Rosh Hashanah 5777
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Rosh Hashanah of 5777 29 Elul Av 5776/ October 2, 2016 Although I have lived in Monsey for most of my life, I am not a Monsey native. My formative years were spent living in the legendary Lower East Side of Manhattan. Until I was eight years old, we lived […]
PARSHAS KI SAVO 5776
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Ki Savo 20 Elul Av 5776/ September 23, 2016 Motzei Shabbos – Haschalas Selichos Pirkei Avos – Perakim 3-4 It’s something we probably don’t appreciate enough. It’s a wonderful thing to be part of a community that is so eager to perform acts of chesed for […]
PARSHAS KI SEITZEI 5776
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Ki Setzei 13 Elul Av 5776/ September 16, 2016 Pirkei Avos – Perakim 1-2 The following is an addendum to last week’s Musings. I am including (in italics) last week’s Musings, followed by the addition: It’s fascinating how new words are constantly being added to our […]
PARSHAS SHOFTIM 5776
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Shoftim 6 Elul Av 5776/ September 9, 2016 Pirkei Avos – Perek 6 It’s fascinating how new words are constantly being added to our lingo, based on the advancements of technology. People casually speak about doing things that would have made no sense just a few […]
PARSHAS RE’EH 5776
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Re’eh Erev Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Elul 29 Menachem Av 5776/ September 2, 2016 Pirkei Avos – Perek 5 On a Sunday afternoon a number of years ago, my in laws were visiting us from Lakewood, and we went to a local pizza shop here in Monsey […]
Parshas Eikev 5776
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Eikev Mevorchim Chodesh Elul 22 Menachem Av 5776/ August 26, 2016 Pirkei Avos – Perek 4 It’s been a gratifying and enjoyable, yet exhausting summer season. And now after eight wonderful weeks at Camp Dora Golding, we have returned home. It takes a few days before […]
PARSHAS VAESCHANAN 5776
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vaeschanan – Shabbos Nachamu 15 Menachem Av 5776/ August 19, 2016 During the summer of 1991, I was a camper in the intermediate division of Camp Dora Golding. One day, I got off my bed and began walking across my bunkhouse when I stepped on something […]
Parshas Devorim – Shabbos Chazon 5776
“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)” Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Devorim – Shabbos Chazon 8 Menachem Av 5776/ August 12, 2016 Earlier this week someone forwarded me a touchingly beautiful and masterfully produced video, entitled “Letting Go”. Narrated by Rabbi Yoel Gold, it depicts the incredible story of a man who forgave his childhood friend who […]