Author Archives: theorthopraxrabbi

PURIM and What Comes After

Posted on March 22, 2011 by theorthopraxrabbi

It is a strange and exhilarating thing to have a secret identity. Scary, yes, but quite exciting. It is also deceitful, deceptive and, at times, duplicitous. I know all this, of course, so I decided to stop writing, hoping to … Continue reading →

Posted in Purim | 3 Comments

My Yom Kippur Speech

Posted on September 16, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

Below is the speech I would like to give this Yom Kippur, but cannot, at least to my congregation. We end Yom Kippur and for many a highlight of the day, by proclaiming “Ado-nai Who haElo-him”. Many question how can … Continue reading →

Posted in High Holidays | 32 Comments

Rituals

Posted on September 7, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

First, I want to apologize for not responding to the various comments of late. As you can imagine, this time of year is an especially busy one for me. Preparing the myriad of derashosh, arranging for shofar for those who … Continue reading →

Posted in High Holidays | 11 Comments

Back To School

Posted on August 25, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

School is almost upon us. With the start of school I can expect that I will inevitably get a call from one, or more, of my congregants – indeed, I too have this issue – that one of my kids’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 21 Comments

Identity

Posted on August 10, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

A lot of discussion of late has centered on identity. Identity, of course, is not only about how we identify ourselves but how others identify us. When we are younger and more versatile, we are able to shift identities, to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 44 Comments

Who Cares

Posted on August 3, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

Who Cares So there has been much ado about the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale (HIR) having a woman lead Kabbalas Shabbos. In a pithy phrase of many wise men, who cares? HIR is a modern Orthodox shul in the way … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 244 Comments

Speed Reading?

Posted on July 29, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

My first rabbinic position was as an assistant rabbi. I started during the summer, right around now, during the post Tisha’Bav lull. I was a newly minted rabbi and was joining an established shul, whose rabbi had been in that … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 62 Comments

Shimon

Posted on July 22, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

I have a congregant, let’s call him Shimon. Shimon is a BT (used to be Steve). Shimon is a quality person, has a good job and a nice family. Fairly typical and clichéd, at least in my community. Shimon and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 161 Comments

Magical Thinking

Posted on July 20, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

Magical Thinking Loss has a hybrid quality to it. It can be intangible and physical, general and personal. In my last post I discussed a general loss, in that case the loss of the beis ha-mikdash and how we may … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 115 Comments

The Temple

Posted on July 16, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

The Temple The Temple. It was always referred to a beis ha-mikdash. As a Rabbi, I know my role is to mourn, to commemorate and to remind my congregants of what we lost on Tisha B’Av, and all that we … Continue reading →

Posted in Tisha be-Av | 120 Comments