Morning Brocha
09/09/2025 10:15:32 AM
Sep9
This morning I received a special brocha - In the middle of shacharis, Hashem’s chosen ones- relayed to the entire shul His special Brocha! The Kohanim gave all of us the special Brocha of Shalom! Shalom, peace. What could be a better Brocha than Shalom?
The Train Ride
09/05/2025 10:29:17 AM
Sep5
Last evening, I returned from Bnei Brak (that’s for a another story)- on the train to Yerushalayim. I sat next to two boys with tattoos and yarmulkes. They were having a good time, playing on their phones and laughing. I engaged them in conversation and discovered that they were about to be drafted into the IDF and they were on their way to the Kosel for Selichos- as Sefardim already began on Rosh Chodesh Elul.
Appreciation, Appreication, Appreciation
09/04/2025 10:33:23 AM
Sep4
Last night I had the unique privilege of approaching the most holy place we know of in the world: the Makom HaMikdsh- the place from where Hashem created the world and decided to establish His abode there- I was privileged to gain access to the Kosel HaMaaravi- the Western Wall.
Appreciation
09/03/2025 12:52:12 PM
Sep3
I have heard from many great people from all the different groups of Torah Judaism, how the main purpose of the Torah is to instill in a person a sense of gratitude. Indeed, many if not most of the Mitzvohs between man and his fellow man are to habituate the person with the recognition of how truly dependent we are on each other.
Most Beautiful Sunrise in the World!!
09/02/2025 12:49:17 PM
Sep2
This the most beautiful sunrise in the world!
Priviledged and Appreciative - Part Two
09/01/2025 12:40:25 PM
Sep1
As I write these words, I am thirty minutes away from Eretz Yisroel - the State of Israel. There were literally millions of Jews, beginning with the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash who could never have imagined in their wildest dreams that they would step foot in the sanctified earth of the Holy Land! Yet, with the help of Hashem, I will be landing in minutes in Tel Aviv in time to daven Shacharis.
Privileged and Appreciative
09/01/2025 12:37:01 PM
Sep1
As I write these words, I am thirty thousand feet above the Atlantic Ocean. I am on my way to Eretz Yisroel - the State of Israel. There were literally millions of Jews, beginning with the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash almost two thousand years ago who could never have imagined in their wildest dreams that they would step foot in the sanctified earth of the Holy Land!
The Hesped
08/28/2025 12:32:13 PM
Aug28
Today, I delivered a Hesped (eulogy) at a Levaya (funeral) where no direct family members were present. On the other hand, everyone was deeply connected to the burial. There was nothing personal said regarding the two Talis-draped Aronos, who sat side by side at the open grave.
On the 90th Yartzeit of Rav Kook ZT"L
08/27/2025 12:26:36 PM
Aug27
Unity- Achdus. We all speak about it. We all support it. We all promote it, and we all want it. However, unity almost always implies the hope that others with whom we disagree will come to realize the incorrectness of their actions and “come around to their senses,” recognizing the correctness of our approach.
How to Avoid Decades of Resentment
08/21/2025 02:29:12 PM
Aug21
(This Vort is in honor of HaRav Avraham Yaakov Pam ZT”L whose 24th Yahrtzeit is tomorrow on the 28th of Av) It was over forty years ago, yet I recall the incident as if it was yesterday. I am sitting across from Rav Pam ZT”L at Yeshiva Torah V’Daas. I could not contain my feelings of hurt and resentment.
Proud to be a Jew
08/14/2025 03:23:29 PM
Aug14
Today, I had a doctor's appointment. The doctor is a Jew (some might call a “not-yet-frum-jew”) and his wife is the receptionist /nurse/ raconteur. No matter how rushed I am, she always has time to schmooze. As too many people incorrectly assume,she thinks I represent the entirety of the world view of the Jewish people. With that erroneous assumption, she proceeded to ask me how American Jewry should be dealing with the current surge in anti-Semitism.
A Big Thank You For a Trip Down Memory Lane
08/14/2025 12:39:08 PM
Aug14
Never underestimate the power of a simple compliment. Yesterday, a man called me just to inform me of how much he appreciated the Short Vort about Beryl, Boro Park and the trip down memory lane. I always appreciate positive feedback - whatever the method. Yet, when this person first called, i was unable to pick up. He then sent me a text which gave me a heads on what the call was about.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
08/08/2025 11:08:13 AM
Aug8
Shabbos Nachamu is related to Nechama (consolation), which is associated with Menucha (to rest). We spoke for quite a long time on Tisha Bav (seven hours)- I attempted to offer Nechama (consolation). This Shabbos, we are all in need of Menucha, which of course is related to Nechama. When we rest, when we have Menucha, that can help us appreciate and experience Nechama. In order to experience my own Menucha, I will be away for Shabbos. I wish everyone a meaningful and restful Shabbos, and we should all be consoled and rejuvenated!
A Tale of Two Cars
07/28/2025 11:24:11 AM
Jul28
Car Number One: Last week, I spoke at an event in Manhattan. After the event, I retrieved my car from the parking garage and headed home. Soon after, a car began flashing its headlights at me. At first, I was concerned. Why was this car flashing its headlights at me? Had I done something wrong?
Stranded in France
07/28/2025 11:18:39 AM
Jul28
Baruch was exhausted as he arrived at the Gare du Nord in Paris after his almost five-hour train ride from Marseille. The Gare du Nord is the busiest railway station in Europe, handling over 700,000 passengers a day. As Baruch exited into the mass of faceless commuters, he saw the station clock read 9:15 PM. He had not eaten all day, nor had he slept the night before. It was Sunday evening, June 15, and Baruch had no idea where he would be spending the night.
Yehudah's Siyum
07/22/2025 02:47:24 PM
Jul22
He looked confident as he went up for his Aliyah; no one could have realized that just a few years back, he had no formal knowledge of Judaism. He said the Brochus flawlessly as my mind waxed nostalgic as I recalled our initial meeting. It was more than eight years ago when a heavily accented Turkish Muslim sat before my desk, attempting to communicate his aspirations for his future life.
One Week Later
07/21/2025 03:35:13 PM
Jul21
It was only last week when the great event took place. I had called his son, Rabbi Eliezer Krohn, beforehand and asked, ”Do you think your father is up to speaking? ” He said he would check with his mother and get back to me. When the return call came in, Rav Eliezer mentioned, ”My father can do it. I am sure you will get a big crowd.” I also felt that having Rabbi Peysach Krohn speak on Sunday afternoon, Shiva Asar B'Tammuz, would draw a large crowd.
The Calm Before the Zeal
07/21/2025 03:23:28 PM
Jul21
”Pinchas the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron the kohen has turned My anger away from the children of Israel by his zealously avenging Me…. Therefore, say, ”I hereby give him My covenant of peace.” (Bamidbar, 25; 11:12)
Yakov Henigson Z"L
07/17/2025 12:35:37 PM
Jul17
In memory of Yakov Chaim ben Dovid Z’L on his Fifth Yahrtzeit It was Sunday, April 5, 2020, when I received the first text. Yakov wrote, ”Hi, Yakov Henigson here. I’m in the hospital. Have felt too weak to daven or put on Tefillin, is that ok? ”
Yankel - Part Two
07/09/2025 03:25:47 PM
Jul9
This story was never meant to be serial. However, today I must make an exception and present part two of what may be an ongoing saga. For those who need refreshing, a few weeks ago (Short Vort on 6/13/25 to be exact), I related the story of R' Yankel, The Yid from the American Dream. In short, I regaled myself (and hopefully my readers) with the tale of how I masqueraded as the Rav's gabbai, allowing me to assist another Yid in Davening Mincha.
Happy Birthday to the Kingdom of Kindness
07/04/2025 10:34:24 AM
Jul4
Regarding the kindness (Chesed) that our government, the United States of America, has bestowed upon us —which Hashem in His abundant mercy on the remnant of Jews from the countries of Europe, and the remnant of the Torah giants and their disciples which He has brought here to reestablished both the old institutions of Europe as well as new ones.
Hodu Lashem Ki Tov- Thank Hashem, for He is (always) Good
06/26/2025 12:38:28 PM
Jun26
I urge everyone to do what I did today. I called and wrote to the President to express my deep sense of gratitude to the man who did what no other President has done before: he mobilized the United States armed forces to protect the Jewish people by bombing the Nuclear Reactors in Iran.
Sensitivity
06/20/2025 12:27:11 PM
Jun20
Recently, a woman wrote to me asking how she could properly address the following issue. She has many family members in Israel, including one who is on the front lines. She told me that she feels hurt when she meets people she knows and they don't inquire about the well-being of her family members.She knows that their seeming indifference to her plight is not intentional; however, she wants to understand how to avoid feeling slighted or developing a negative attitude toward these individuals.
Feeling the Pain
06/17/2025 02:44:31 PM
Jun17
It was Thursday evening at the Shul. I was in the middle of a shiur. One of the participants asked a question about leaving his computer on all of Shabbos to periodically check the newsfeed. After going through a brief discussion of the possible Halachik issues involved, I asked cluelessly, ”Why are you asking this now? Things seem relatively quiet. ”
The American Dream
06/13/2025 12:26:39 PM
Jun13
The man on the line sounded desperate. ”Ich darf a Minyan fur Mincha, ”- he blurted out, ”I need a minyan for mincha. ” ”I am at this place called American Dream, and it's time for Mincha, and I need a minyan. Can you help me? ”
Heavy Lifting
06/12/2025 12:21:19 PM
Jun12
Parshas B'Halosecha is one of the most varied and diverse Parshios of the Torah. The topics range from the Menorah to the Man and many other assorted subjects. Yet, at the beginning of the Parsha, right after the Menorah, we are introduced to a subject that stands out for its uniqueness in the Torah.
A Painful Letter
06/09/2025 12:23:56 PM
Jun9
It was a beautiful spring day in May. I took a walk and passed the baseball field at Tennyson Place. A group of yeshiva boys and their rebbe were playing a game of baseball. I heard the crack of the bat and saw the ball sail into the outfield. Suddenly, I was no longer in Passaic; I was back in Brooklyn at Prospect Park, and the year was 1972.
Loneliness
05/30/2025 12:29:41 PM
May30
It was a beautiful spring day in May. I took a walk and passed the baseball field at Tennyson Place. A group of yeshiva boys and their rebbe were playing a game of baseball. I heard the crack of the bat and saw the ball sail into the outfield. Suddenly, I was no longer in Passaic; I was back in Brooklyn at Prospect Park, and the year was 1972.
How High Should We Hold Our Heads?
05/25/2025 12:11:16 PM
May25
I noticed today in the Israeli and Jewish media sources the following ”news” item: (JTA) — Guy Christensen, a TikTok influencer with more than 3 million followers, came out in support of the shooting attack that killed two Israeli embassy employees. ”I do not condemn the elimination of the Zionist officials who worked at the Israeli embassy last night,” Christensen, a Gen-Z influencer who goes by YourFavoriteGuy on TikTok, said in a video posted Thursday.
All the news that's fit to print?
05/23/2025 10:15:22 AM
May23
Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington were shot and killed Wednesday evening while leaving an event at a Jewish museum, with police saying the suspect yelled, ”Free, free Palestine” after he was arrested. Yaron Lischinsky, 30, who grew up in Israel and Germany, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, who was from Kansas, were killed in the attack.
Mon, March 9 2026
20 Adar 5786
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Mon, March 9 2026 20 Adar 5786