You Have a Nice Beard
06/01/2023 11:43:03 AM
Jun1
Yesterday, I was walking down the street, minding my own business, when surprisingly, a woman - who had to be in her sixties- says to me, ”What a nice beard you have. ” I was taken a back.
Read more... Cell Phones
05/30/2023 02:45:39 PM
May30
Now that the weather has taken a turn for the warm and pleasant it was my turn to go out and take a walk and enjoy the fresh air and warmth. As I was walking near the park on Tennyson, I noticed a familiar face.
Read more... Rus
05/30/2023 02:33:35 PM
May30
Rus is one of my favorite heroines in the Tanach. She is the one who lives and breathes the famous quote from President Harry Truman. ”It's amazing what you can accomplish when you do not care who gets the credit, ”
Read more... Hashem Loves Me
05/19/2023 12:19:53 PM
May19
It was Seder night. The youngest in the family, Chizkiyahu, had just opened the door at ”Shepoch Chamasecha” and the fourth cup was poured.Everyone was satiated from their mother's delicious meal, and now it was time to sit back and sing Hallel to Hashem.
Read more... Happy Mother's Day
05/16/2023 02:21:47 PM
May16
This past Sunday was Mother's Day. I was planning to write this Vort on Sunday; however, as they say, ”Mann tracht un G-tt lacht”. (In English, ”Man plans and G-d laughs”)
Read more... Esther Jaffe A"H
05/04/2023 02:23:33 PM
May4
At 3:20 PM on Friday, March 3, I suddenly saw them.The large contingent of Hatzalah vehicles amassing in front of my next-door neighbor's home was alarming.
Read more... Rav Bender's Realignment
04/20/2023 01:52:29 PM
Apr20
The excitement in the room was palpable.It was an event marking the beginning of the learning of Mishnayos for the third-grade boys at Yeshiva Darchei Torah.Parents and grandparents were all in attendance celebrating their son’s or grandson’s first immersion into Torah Shebe’al Peh.
Read more... Sasha Mindel bas Rav Chaim Yehuda
04/19/2023 11:44:15 AM
Apr19
This Shabbos, Parshas Shimini 2023, was the Yahrtzeit of a woman who passed away 169 years ago.On the 24th of Nissan in the year 1854, on Parshas Shimini, Sasha Mindel Hertzberg, née Kluger, passed away.
Read more... The Final Preparation
04/05/2023 01:34:19 PM
Apr5
We are all familiar with the Four Sons. A more accurate translation would be Four Traits of the Human Personality.
Read more... My Mother's Parker 51
04/03/2023 03:11:19 PM
Apr3
This past Friday, the Ninth of Nissan, was Leah bas Meir's (my mother-Lorraine Eisenman) eighth Yahrtzeit. I present one more memory of her.
Read more... Leah bas Meir A"H
04/03/2023 02:59:03 PM
Apr3
My mother, Lorraine Eisenman (January 16, 1930, 16th of Teves 5690- March 29, 2015- Nissan 9, 5775), was born in the South Bronx in the Hunts Point section.
Read more... 
The White Purim
03/08/2023 12:35:01 PM
Mar8
Today as I made my way to Shul, snow was all over the grass and falling from the sky! It should be a sign from Hashem that He has forgiven our sins, and we are off to a clean slate.
Read more... Yoel Moshe ben Yosef Nosson Z"L
03/06/2023 12:30:26 PM
Mar6
Today is the 24th Yahrtzeit of my father Z”L. He was born on the 30th day of Tishrei 5686- October 1, 1925. He passed away on Taanis Esther in 1999.
Read more... Oakley
03/02/2023 02:02:14 PM
Mar2
It was time. Bernard Hillstein (name changed) had finally conceded he could no longer live alone and had to enter an assisted living facility. He always craved warmer weather.
Read more... M'She Nichnas Adar....
03/01/2023 03:27:25 PM
Mar1
We all remember the Zoom days when people were warned to be careful to note how they dressed and acted while on camera. However; there is always room and reason to be vigilant.
Read more... Moshe Rabbeinu and Zayin Adar, and Chevra Kadisha
02/28/2023 12:39:30 PM
Feb28
Today in Chevra Kadishas worldwide, the Yahrtzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu is observed fasting and, after the fast, with a Seudas Mitzvah. At the Seuda, the members of the Chevra Kadisha are recognized for their efforts on behalf of the community. What is the connection between Zayin Adar, the Yahrtzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu, and Chevra Kadishas? Why is this day picked to recognize the work of the Chevra Kadisha?
Read more... PIP Revisited
02/28/2023 12:36:23 PM
Feb28
I have become more mellow after reaching my mid-sixties. I no longer feel axiomatic and certainly not dogmatic regarding certain ideas I once felt. I have realized that people are different; their needs, hopes, and dreams differ.
I realized some people revel and look forward to making Purim special and are not interested in making PURIM PASHUT.
Therefore, I have changed. Those who want to keep the original PIP or Purim...Read more...
M'SheNichnas Adar Marbin B'Simcha
02/22/2023 10:37:32 AM
Feb22
M’SheNichnas Adar Marbin B’Simcha -”When the Month of Adar arrives, we are abundantly happy. ” The Talmud (T.B. Taanis 29b) informs us that when the month of Adar arrives, we should increase and be abundantly happy.
Read more... The Portrait
02/16/2023 10:47:04 AM
Feb16
”I will not allow that picture to be hung in my home.” This proclamation was heard for years from the mouth of Baila Kleinbaum.
Read more... Happy New Year to the Trees
02/08/2023 04:49:50 PM
Feb8
Today is considered the first day of the year in calculating the age of a tree concerning certain specific halachos (Oral, Teruma, Maaseros), which for the most part are applicable (at least on a Torah level) only in the Land of Israel.
Read more... Miracle of Miracles
02/02/2023 11:06:29 AM
Feb2
It was Sunday, December 4, 2022. I am generally not a Manhattan person. I prefer to stay close to home in Passaic. It took a lot to get me to agree to travel to the City for an encounter...
Read more... Up, Up and Away
01/26/2023 02:34:28 PM
Jan26
I am writing to you from 30,000 feet (is that correct?) over the Earth. I am on my way to Memphis, Tennessee. I have never been there before, so I’m very excited!
Read more... In Memory of Rabbi Mendel Cohen ZT"L
01/19/2023 12:41:38 PM
Jan19
The phone rang, and the caller said, "Hello, Rebbe. Is that you?"
"I'm sorry; who am I speaking to?"
"Rebbe, it's me, Yanky!"
Maybe it's...Read more...
My Mom and MLK
01/17/2023 10:35:59 AM
Jan17
Today is MLK Day.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, It is a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr (1929-1968). It is observed on the third Monday of January each year. King's actual birthday is January 15 (which in 1929 fell on a Tuesday).
MLK was a man who respected Jews and admired the State of Israel. He said, "Peace for Israel means security, and we must stand with all of our might to...Read more...
The Zaidy
01/05/2023 11:51:44 AM
Jan5
It all began with a text message from Rabbi Zvi Lampel. His daughter and son-in-law were now proud parents as they had a baby boy. I quickly contacted my good friend and Rebbe, HaRav Yaakov Bender, the newborn's great-grandfather.
Read more... Books in Translation
01/04/2023 03:14:24 PM
Jan4
In the Selichos we recited yesterday, we mentioned another tragedy that occurred on the eighth of Teves. And because of this tragedy, we fast as well. What happened on the eighth Teves?
Read more... The Best Chanukah Story in the World
12/26/2022 12:45:42 PM
Dec26
Today as I walking around Yerushalayim I passed a father with three beautiful Jewish children. His children were asking him/ to buy donuts for them for Chanukah, however, at 15 Shekes each (about four dollars) the father explained they were too expensive.
Read more... Kings Plaza, Kazoo and Khanuka
12/22/2022 11:57:31 AM
Dec22
It was Thursday, December 7, 1972, the seventh day of Chanukah. That night would be Zos Chanukah. Seeing all eight candles lit at once was greatly anticipated and awaited.
Read more... Protecting the Land and the People
12/21/2022 07:55:14 PM
Dec21
Yesterday, I had the privilege of visiting Chevron, the city of the Avon and the Imahos- The Patriarchs and the Matriarchs. As I entered this place of Kedusha which was packed with young women in heartfelt prayer to find their soul-mate…
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Mon, June 5 2023
16 Sivan 5783
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Honoring Jonathan & Yael Pittinsky
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Mon, June 5 2023 16 Sivan 5783