PARSHIOS ACHAREI MOS/KEDOSHIM 5775
Rabbi Doniel Staum, LMSW Strivinghigher.com STAM TORAH PARSHIOS ACHAREI MOS/KEDOSHIM 5769 “GOING TO THE IN-LAWS” In sixteenth-century Cracow, there lived a Jew named R’ Isserl (Yisroel Isser). Isserl was a scholar, philanthropist, and a well-respected community leader. He made a fine living manufacturing and selling fine silk. Many member of the Polish nobility were […]
PARSHIOS TAZRIA/METZORA 5775
Rabbi Doniel Staum, LMSW Strivinghigher.com STAM TORAH PARSHIOS TAZRIA/METZORA 5775 “TWO BIRDS” Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman related the following story: A number of years ago Rabbi Wachsman was in Miami assisting his ailing father. One morning he accompanied his father to a local shul where virtually all the members were retired and elderly, aside for one […]
PARSHAS SHEMINI 5775
Rabbi Doniel Staum, LMSW StrivingHigher.com STAM TORAH PARSHAS SHEMINI 5775 “FOR THE SAKE OF HIS NAME” My rebbe, Rabbi Berel Wein, often reminisces about his relationship with Rabbi Alexander Rosenberg z’l, founder of the kashrus division of the Orthodox Union, and its administrator for thirty years. When he began working for the O.U.’s kashrus division, […]
PESACH 5775
Rabbi Doniel Staum, LMSW Strivinghigher.com STAM TORAH PESACH 5775 “A NEW ENTITY” Rabbi Mordechai Finkelman[1] related that in years past, while walking home from shul on Friday Night with his sons, occasionally a passerby would shout an anti-Semitic epithet from his car window as he sped away. Afterwards, Rabbi Finkelman would always make a point […]
PARSHAS TZAV 5775 SHABBOS HAGADOL
Rabbi Doniel Staum, LMSW Strivinghigher.com STAM TORAH PARSHAS TZAV 5775 SHABBOS HAGADOL “BURNING EMBERS” Rabbi Yaakov Galinsky zt’l was a noted orator and Rosh Yeshiva in Chadera, Israel. One day as he was saying shiur some years ago, he received a message that the local Chief of Police wanted to see him at Police […]
PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5775
Rabbi Doniel Staum, LMSW STAM TORAH PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5775 “ON HIS LEVEL” In the wonderful biography of Rabbi Shlomo Freifeld zt’l[1], the following story is recorded: “A student recalled the evening in 1970 when he learned of the death of a well-known rock singer. He was a big fan of the musician and mourned his […]
PARSHIOS VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI 5775
Rabbi Doniel Staum, LMSW STAM TORAH PARSHIOS VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI 5775 “ACTUALIZING ASPIRATIONS” The holy Chassidic master, Rabbi Zushya of Aniploi, once mused[1], “When I was young I set out to change the world. Then, I became a bit older and I realized that I would not be able to fix all of the world’s problems, but […]
PARSHAS KI SISA
Rabbi Doniel Staum, LMSW STAM TORAH PARSHAS KI SISA (PARAH)[1] “PERMANENT DEPARTURE” I am your constant companion.I am your greatest asset or your heaviest burden.I will push you up to success or drag you down to failure.I am at your command.Many of the things you do, might just as well be turned over to me, […]
PARSHAS TEZAVEH/ZACHOR/PURIM 5775
Rabbi Doniel Staum, LMSW Rabbi, Kehillat New Hempstead Rebbe/Guidance Counselor – ASHAR Principal – Ohr Naftoli- New Windsor STAM TORAH PARSHAS TEZAVEH/ZACHOR/PURIM 5775 “AN EYE FOR AN I”[1] The story was reaching its crescendo. Esther was poised to reveal to Achashveirosh the answers to the mysteries that baffled him for so long. Who was […]
PARSHAS TERUMAH 5775
Rabbi Doniel Staum, LMSW Rabbi, Kehillat New Hempstead Rebbe/Guidance Counselor – ASHAR Principal – Ohr Naftoli- New Windsor STAM TORAH PARSHAS TERUMAH 5775 “BEYOND THE CURTAIN” Every now and then a story will circulate that no one really knows its authenticity. The following story falls into that category. Despite whether it actually ever happened or […]