Yosef Silfen, at The Blogs

Dec 1, 2024, 5:30 PM

Edited by Rabbi Neil Fleischman Last week, Americans celebrated Thanksgiving: A day known for turkey and stuffing. A day known for glamorous parades and shopping bargains. A day immediate and extended families across the US gather together for dinner at...

Nov 7, 2024, 5:15 AM

The Magic Sukkah

Edited by Rabbi Neil Fleischman Recently, the Jewish people celebrated Sukkot, A holiday grown men use sleeping bags to sleep in oversized huts for seven days. Our rabbis call this holiday, zman simchatanu, the time of Joy. Non-Jewish people know...

Oct 13, 2024, 6:29 PM

The Leap

Our rabbis deem the days between Rosh Chodesh Elul and Yom Kippur as yemi ratzon-—days of yearning. During this 40–day period, Jewish people across the world ponder lifestyle and spiritual changes. Lifelong smokers consider going cold turkey from all tobacco...

Sep 9, 2024, 7:01 AM

A Kingda Ka Lesson

Last week, my cousin Jake and I visited Six Flags Great Adventure, a world-renowned amusement park in Jackson, New Jersey known for its tall, fast and wild roller coasters. Kingda Ka represents its tallest, fastest and wildest coaster. It...

Aug 5, 2024, 8:38 AM

Somebody’s Hero

Edited by Rabbi Neil Fleischman Every summer, Jewish communities observe the three weeks. For these 21 days, the community refrains from having weddings. shaving, getting haircuts, and other customs. The Rabbis instituted each restriction to cultivate a sense of mourning...

Jul 1, 2024, 12:33 AM

Lessons from the Graduates

Graduation day generates tears and cheers for teachers. On the one hand, teachers celebrate their students’ completion of academic requirements. On the other hand, teachers say farewell to a group of beloved students. Although teachers encounter this bittersweet experience...

Mar 17, 2024, 4:24 AM

A Lesson From Haman

In chapter 3 of Megillat Esther, King Achashverosh appoints Haman chief advisor to the king. Following Haman’s promotion, King Achashverosh established a new law. Whomever spots Haman in the palace gate, must kneel and bow down before him. However,...

Jan 8, 2024, 12:01 PM

Yeshiva or seminary for the year

On January 16, yeshiva and seminary applications will close for the year. Across New York and New Jersey, a good percentage of seniors from Orthodox high schools will choose not to attend yeshiva or seminary for the year. My...

Dec 4, 2023, 3:52 AM

The Call of Duty

Since October 7th, IDF solders have answered the call of duty to sacrifice their heart and souls for Am Yisrael. Outside the land of Israel, many Jews have pondered, what sacrifices can we make for Am Yisroel? Most Diaspora...

Sep 4, 2023, 3:10 AM

Showing Up

In two weeks, Jews across the world will celebrate Rosh Hashanah. During the Rosh Hashanah season, many have a custom to set ambitious long-term goals. Some of us aim to join a gym and drop 30 pounds. Some of...

About Me

I’m currently a graduate student pursing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Touro University in Manhattan, New York. However, I studied English at Yeshiva University and developed a passion for writing there. In print, I have published over a dozen articles for the Jewish Link of New Jersey and one of their guest feature writers. I also published a ficton novel called Adulting two years ago, with DLG Publishing Partners (serialized number 1952805783).

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