Do You Really Want Utopia? 
Parshat Ki Teitzei 5782

In early 1973, a US researcher named John Calhoun found himself in the middle of a small city that had mysteriously died out. There was not a single resident remaining, despite it having a population of 2200 just two years…

Continue ReadingDo You Really Want Utopia? 
Parshat Ki Teitzei 5782

Craving Some Humiliation? 
Parshat Shoftim 5782

If you ever find yourself with a craving for humiliation, try the following: walk into any Hermes store, and ask the salesperson if they have any Birkin bags. What will follow is a full sizing up of you as a…

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Parshat Shoftim 5782

Parshat Ekev 5782

Parashat Ekev תשפ"ב In this week’s portion, Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-16), Hashem promises the Jewish people that if they keep the Torah, He will guarantee that all material matters will be perfect.  (יב) וְהָיָה עֵקֶב תִּשְׁמְעוּן אֵת הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים הָאֵלֶּה וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם…

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If it’s good enough for the doctors… 
Parshat Veeschanan- Namachu 5782

May 28th is a special day. Exactly two decades ago, that day found me standing under a chuppah; watching my soon-to-be wife walk down the aisle flanked by her parents, and praying intensely that G-d should make our home into one…

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Parshat Veeschanan- Namachu 5782

We don’t need those keys…
 Parshat Devorim- Tisha B’av 5782

The following story is true, however the names and details have been fictionalized to bring out the story. The pounding in Shlomo’s head wouldn’t stop, but it was easily drowned out by the pain in his heart. The city lie…

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 Parshat Devorim- Tisha B’av 5782

Please keep this secret from your spouse… 
Parsha Matos – Masei 5782

I’m pretty confident that you’ve never heard of the 9 Nanas; they worked hard to keep it that way. For thirty years, the 9 Nanas, a group of women near Memphis, TN, would get up at 4AM, and sneak out…

Continue ReadingPlease keep this secret from your spouse… 
Parsha Matos – Masei 5782

Who’s the real villain here? 
Parshat Pinchas 5782

In 2021, more people migrated out of New York State than any other state in the union. And it was not all people leaving Flatbush for Tom’s River to be closer to the grandchildren and have more lawn. Many people…

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Parshat Pinchas 5782

Inflation is robbing me of the ability to buy a violin! 
Parshat Balak 5782

Stradivarius. The name alone elicits a hushed response in discriminating circles. Antonio Stradivari, born in Cremona, Italy in 1644, is considered by most experts to be the greatest instrument maker of all time. The few remaining "Strads" (the number hovers…

Continue ReadingInflation is robbing me of the ability to buy a violin! 
Parshat Balak 5782

When You March to the Step of Another Drummer
Parshas Chukas 5782

The New York City Subway system has 468 stations stretching over four boroughs, making it the largest subway system in the world. It is clean, efficient, reliable, inexpensive, and most importantly, it saves people hours of snarling traffic every day.…

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Parshas Chukas 5782

From Austerity to Ostentation
Parshas Korach 5782

To say that the Kellogg family grew up in austerity would be an understatement on par with saying that surgery without anesthesia might tingle a bit. As strict Seventh Day Adventists, the Kellogg family believed that taking indulging in any…

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Parshas Korach 5782