Rabbi’s Musings & Amusings

It was the morning of the first day of the camp season at Camp Dora Golding a number of summers ago. I was a division head and was davening next to my campers and counselors. The chazan was finishing his recitation of Chazaras HaShatz when one of my counselors rushed over to me and quizzically said “Birkas Kohanim!” I smiled and motioned that it was okay.

On the morning of the fast of Asarah B’Teves a few weeks ago, I wanted to speak to my ninth-grade class about the reason and significance of the fast. I began by asking them, “So, what sad event happened today?” One of my students explained that the previous night during an NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, Damar Hamlin of the Bills went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field before being rushed off to the hospital.

I always think it’s ironic when a security guard in the airport asks me the purpose of my visit to Israel. It would be a valid question if I was visiting London or Paris. But does a Jew need a reason to visit Eretz Yisrael?

One of the many virtues of being a rebbe in Heichal HaTorah is the yeshivah’s Rebbe’s Room. I pick up many great Torah thoughts, perspectives, and stories from my far more esteemed colleagues.

In a commencement address to the Eagle Hill School Class of 2013, noted educator Rick Lavoie spoke about the importance of education.

Towards the end of his lecture, he related the following:

I have a nose, but I’d like to think I’m not too nosey. I have ears, but I don’t think I’m eerie. One thing is for certain: Although I have hands, I am definitely not handy.

So, when I went to retrieve our mail one afternoon, and the entire mailbox came off its stand, it was stressful. The mailbox was old and rickety for a long time. That day, it completely came off its rotted screws and was clearly beyond repair.