Opinion

The great American philosophers, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, introduced America to a baseball team comprised of players with bizarre names. Who is on first, What is on second, I Don’t Know is on third, Today is catching, Tomorrow is pitching, Why is in left [field], Because is in right [field], and I Don’t Give a Darn is at shortstop. We never find out the names of the base coaches. I would bet it is Hi, Max, and Norm.

In 1782, the American Bald Eagle was adopted as the US national emblem, symbolizing strength, freedom, and independence. It was chosen because of its long life, majestic appearance, and great strength.

I love wearing my talis on Shabbos mornings to and from shul. It gives me a regal feeling. It may therefore be surprising that I almost never wear my talis to shul.

One of the highlights of my winter visits to Eretz Yisrael the last four years was spending time with my rebbi, Rabbi Berel Wein, and being able to hear him speak. During my visits, on Friday morning at 10 a.m., I would make sure to be at Beit Knesset HaNasi in the Rechaviah section of Yerushalayim for Rabbi Wein’s Erev Shabbos parshah schmooze. On Shabbos morning, I would daven at Beit Knesset HaNasi so I could hear his drashah before Musaf.

This week, I attended our fourth-grade twins’ siyum on Mishnayos Yoma in their yeshivah, the Yeshiva of Spring Valley.

During the past four years, my wife and I have had at least one child learning in yeshivah/seminary in Yerushalayim. I had the good fortune to visit and spend a few days in Eretz Yisrael each January.