Torah Dedication: Rabbi Berel Wein's Wife

Bais Torah of Monsey, has recently had a hachnasas sefer torah. Bais Torah is known as the shul where Rabbi Berel Wein was Rabbi for many years. Therefore it was only fitting that the Torah be dedicated in memory of his wife, Jackie Wein who was nifteres only about a yr. ago. I have davened in this shul many times and I was unaware of this great simcha until I ran across this article. The current Rabbi is R' Yisroel Gottlieb who although young is doing an outstanding job and gives a great drasha.

Mi Shebairach Rant....

This blog is generally not of the ranting sort. Perhaps informational or inspirational but not a rant. Today I bring you some of my thoughts on a issue I think plagues our Jewish Nation: the Mi Shebairach. When people started saying Mi Shebairach it was for the sick people of the town or perhaps a relative. Now with the advent of the internet and email many people have lists a mile long. This is extremely problematic especially in a shul that has one for every possible scenario: the state of Israel, the POW, the MIA and the list goes on and on. There is no question that there are many sick people who need a refuah and should be in our prayers. The problem is one of decorum. When you extend these ideas out too far it invites lots of gabbing. This talking then extends itself into either the Torah reading or the prayer services. The answer I believe, lies in the Gabbbai asking everyone to insert the name of the sick while saying the Mi Shebairach. Instead of waiting for everyone to go through their names, trying to remember it while others wait in line: you get the picture. For all you gabbais out there, this rants for you...