As I write, this August of 2013, my mom is, b”H, almost 92 years old. Mom sleeps a lot and, as a result of a stroke, does not speak. Though she suffers from dementia, she does recognize her family and has retained her very pleasant personality and demeanor; she responds to us and to the wonderful caregivers with her trademark warm and friendly smile.

  Those in our community who knew Mom in her vibrant younger years know that she was an excellent musician and a master gardener. She did outstanding chesed, with our home always open to guests. My

Here we are in late August, and the growing season is coming to an end. We have prepared our soil, planted our seeds, nurtured our plants, and fought off many garden adversaries – and now is the time to bring in the fruits of our labor. Now is also a good time to look back and see what went right and what didn’t go quite according to plan. Gardening, like so many of life’s endeavors, is a learning experience – and every year, no matter how experienced you are – there are lessons to be learned and new adventures to

A quick-witted mechanic once told a customer, “I could not fix your breaks, so I made your horn louder.” In life, instead of directly confronting an issue, we sometimes try to cover it up or avoid it completely. The planning for the distribution of one’s finances and family obligations after death is uncomfortable for some but a necessity for all. Nobody likes to think that he or she will die eventually, but it is incumbent upon each and every person to plan for this event.

  The first and best way to plan for these eventualities is by creating an

If you had to list 10 dishes as nominees for the Jewish culinary hall of fame, stuffed cabbage would no doubt be among them – alongside gefilte fish, chicken soup, and other favorites. During this time of the year, especially, filled or stuffed foods are considered a good omen, symbolizing bounty and blessing, according to Rabbi Gil Marks’ Encyclopedia of Jewish Food.

  The Talmud, in listing chores that sages would perform to help their wives prepare for Shabbos, tells us that Rav Chisda would chop cabbage. We also learn that cabbage is “one of the six things that heal

Did you ever hear a young child say he wants to be a fireman when he grows up? Why a fireman? Frankly, I do not know, but take a look at what the Baltimore City Fire Department just announced: The Baltimore Sun, in a front page story in the December 3, 2012 issue, reported that the Baltimore City Fire Department will begin requiring a formal college level education in order to be a fireman and/or to be promoted within the Fire Department. Amazing! You will now have to go to college to get a job in a typical blue collar

It was an eventful summer, both in America and abroad. The stock market was crashing, families were struggling financially, and other tragic events were changing our world. Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, was asked what we frum Jews could do to reverse the situation. How could we attain divine mercy? He responded with a four-word formula: “Ya’asu Yom Kippur Katan.” He suggested that we observe Yom Kippur Katan, a very powerful holiday that precedes every Rosh Chodesh and that could change our fate.

My First Yom Kippur Katan, Bnei Brak Style

One year ago, I was fortunate to be in Bnai Brak