Moshe Weinberger
Encyclopedia
Rabbi Moshe Weinberger is an Orthodox
rabbi
who is the founder and current rabbi of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, New York
.
He is a lecturer, author. Some regard him as a posek
("decisor" of Jewish law
) and a Jewish leader who is actively involved in Jewish Outreach
.
Hasidim
. He dropped out of law school to study Judaism in order to become a rabbi.
Rabbi Weinberger attended Yeshiva University
and was a student of Rabbi Dovid Lifshitz
. He holds a MA
in Jewish philosophy
from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies
at Yeshiva University
and an MS in educational administration from Teachers College, Columbia University
.
Rabbi Weinberger was ordained by the RIETS rabbinical school of Yeshiva University
and has since has adopted the style of a Hasidic
rebbe
.
attire (a Hasidic-style black hat during the week, and a shtreimel
on Shabbat
) and Payos ("side locks") while emphasising and spreading Hasidic thought. His teachings included Torah
from Chabad
, Breslov
, Izbica
, and others. In addition he began teaching works that were previously not easily available to the English-speaking public such as Rav Kook and the seforim of Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh.
in Queens
and prior to that he taught at a local yeshiva
in Far Rockaway.
He encourages spiritual growth in many Jews. And is a founder of an English speaking Yeshiva.
He is a sought-after lecturer in all kinds of Jewish communal gatherings serving as scholar-in-residence in synagogues all over the United States
. Also as an invited inspirational speaker for the youth in Jewish High Schools.
He also gives various lectures on different topics in many synagogue
s on a regular basis., he has developed a library
of more than 1900 MP3
s.
. Among the specific questions the author examines are: What is the nature of the obligation to attract Jews back to Torah observance? Are Baal teshuva
yeshivas obligated to teach Torah to all Jews who seek religious guidance? May halakhic concessions be made in synagogue services to attract ba'alei teshuvah
?
Weinberger is a frequent contributor to such publications as Rabbi Jacob Joseph School
's
Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society
:
And also to the OU
's Jewish Action
magazine:
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
who is the founder and current rabbi of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, New York
Woodmere, New York
Woodmere is a hamlet in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 17,121 at the 2010 census.Woodmere is one of the Long Island communities known as the Five Towns, which is usually said to comprise the villages of Lawrence and Cedarhurst, the hamlets of Woodmere and Inwood, and...
.
He is a lecturer, author. Some regard him as a posek
Posek
Posek is the term in Jewish law for "decider"—a legal scholar who decides the Halakha in cases of law where previous authorities are inconclusive or in those situations where no halakhic precedent exists....
("decisor" of Jewish law
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
) and a Jewish leader who is actively involved in Jewish Outreach
Jewish outreach
Jewish outreach is a term with mixed support sometimes used to translate the Hebrew word kiruv or keruv . Judaism usually does not actively seek converts, although all denominations do accept those with a sincere commitment...
.
Background and education
Rabbi Weinberger's grandparents were BelzBelz (Hasidic dynasty)
Belz is a Hasidic dynasty named for the town of Belz in Western Ukraine, near the Polish border. The town has existed since at least the 10th century, with the Jewish community being established during the 14th century. The town became home to Hasidic Judaism in the early 19th century...
Hasidim
Hasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism or Hasidism, from the Hebrew —Ḥasidut in Sephardi, Chasidus in Ashkenazi, meaning "piety" , is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that promotes spirituality and joy through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the fundamental aspects of the Jewish faith...
. He dropped out of law school to study Judaism in order to become a rabbi.
Rabbi Weinberger attended Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University is a private university in New York City, with six campuses in New York and one in Israel. Founded in 1886, it is a research university ranked as 45th in the US among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2012...
and was a student of Rabbi Dovid Lifshitz
Dovid Lifshitz
Rabbi Dovid Lifshitz was a distinguished Rosh yeshiva in the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary for almost fifty years. He was appointed upon the invitation of Rabbi Samuel Belkin in 1944. He was also known as the "Suvalker Rav", due to his previous position as the Rabbi of the European...
. He holds a MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Jewish philosophy
Jewish philosophy
Jewish philosophy , includes all philosophy carried out by Jews, or, in relation to the religion of Judaism. Jewish philosophy, until modern Enlightenment and Emancipation, was pre-occupied with attempts to reconcile coherent new ideas into the tradition of Rabbinic Judaism; thus organizing...
from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies
Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies
The Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies was Yeshiva University’s first graduate school. Founded in 1937, it was named for Yeshiva University's first president, Bernard Revel...
at Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University is a private university in New York City, with six campuses in New York and one in Israel. Founded in 1886, it is a research university ranked as 45th in the US among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2012...
and an MS in educational administration from Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College, Columbia University is a graduate school of education located in New York City, New York...
.
Rabbi Weinberger was ordained by the RIETS rabbinical school of Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University is a private university in New York City, with six campuses in New York and one in Israel. Founded in 1886, it is a research university ranked as 45th in the US among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2012...
and has since has adopted the style of a Hasidic
Hasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism or Hasidism, from the Hebrew —Ḥasidut in Sephardi, Chasidus in Ashkenazi, meaning "piety" , is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that promotes spirituality and joy through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the fundamental aspects of the Jewish faith...
rebbe
Rebbe
Rebbe , which means master, teacher, or mentor, is a Yiddish word derived from the Hebrew word Rabbi. It often refers to the leader of a Hasidic Jewish movement...
.
A modern Hasidic rebbe
Rabbi Weinberger adopted HasidicHasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism or Hasidism, from the Hebrew —Ḥasidut in Sephardi, Chasidus in Ashkenazi, meaning "piety" , is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that promotes spirituality and joy through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the fundamental aspects of the Jewish faith...
attire (a Hasidic-style black hat during the week, and a shtreimel
Shtreimel
A shtreimel is a fur hat worn by many married haredi Jewish men, particularly members of Hasidic groups, on Shabbat and Jewish holidays and other festive occasions. In Jerusalem, the shtreimel is also worn by 'Yerushalmi' Jews...
on Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
) and Payos ("side locks") while emphasising and spreading Hasidic thought. His teachings included Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
from Chabad
Chabad
Chabad or Chabad-Lubavitch is a major branch of Hasidic Judaism.Chabad may also refer to:*Chabad-Strashelye, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism*Chabad-Kapust or Kapust, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism...
, Breslov
Breslov (Hasidic dynasty)
Breslov is a branch of Hasidic Judaism founded by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism...
, Izbica
Mordechai Yosef Leiner
Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izbica was a rabbinic Hasidic thinker and founder of the Izhbitza-Radzyn dynasty of Hasidic Judaism.Rabbi Mordechai Yosef was born in Tomashov in 1801 to his father Reb Yaakov the son of Reb Mordechai of Sekul, a descendant of Rabbi Shoul Wahl. At the age two he became...
, and others. In addition he began teaching works that were previously not easily available to the English-speaking public such as Rav Kook and the seforim of Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh.
Teaching career
He has been a career educator. For over twenty years, Weinberger was a teacher ("rebbe") at Ezra Academy, a Jewish day schoolJewish day school
A Jewish day school is a modern Jewish educational institution that is designed to provide Jewish children with both a Jewish and a secular education in one school on a full time basis, hence its name of "day school" meaning a school that the students attend for an entire day and not on a part time...
in Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
and prior to that he taught at a local yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
in Far Rockaway.
He encourages spiritual growth in many Jews. And is a founder of an English speaking Yeshiva.
He is a sought-after lecturer in all kinds of Jewish communal gatherings serving as scholar-in-residence in synagogues all over the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Also as an invited inspirational speaker for the youth in Jewish High Schools.
He also gives various lectures on different topics in many synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
s on a regular basis., he has developed a library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
of more than 1900 MP3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
s.
Works
He is the author of a book called Jewish Outreach - a Halachic Perspective, KTAV publishing, (1990) ISBN 0881253553, 168 pages. It was published in conjunction with the Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals, this book examines the halakhic issues related to Jewish outreachOrthodox Judaism outreach
Orthodox Jewish outreach commonly referred to as Kiruv or Keruv , is the collective work or movement of Orthodox Judaism that reaches out to non-Orthodox Jews to believe in God, engage in Torah study, and practice the Mitzvot in the hope that they will live according to Orthodox Jewish law...
. Among the specific questions the author examines are: What is the nature of the obligation to attract Jews back to Torah observance? Are Baal teshuva
Baal teshuva
Baal teshuva or ba'al teshuvah , sometimes abbreviated to BT, is a term referring to a Jew who turns to embrace Orthodox Judaism. Baal teshuva literally means, "repentant", i.e., one who has repented or "returned" to God...
yeshivas obligated to teach Torah to all Jews who seek religious guidance? May halakhic concessions be made in synagogue services to attract ba'alei teshuvah
Baal teshuva
Baal teshuva or ba'al teshuvah , sometimes abbreviated to BT, is a term referring to a Jew who turns to embrace Orthodox Judaism. Baal teshuva literally means, "repentant", i.e., one who has repented or "returned" to God...
?
Weinberger is a frequent contributor to such publications as Rabbi Jacob Joseph School
Rabbi Jacob Joseph School
The Rabbi Jacob Joseph School is an Orthodox Jewish day school located in Staten Island, New York that serves students from nursery through twelfth grade. The school was founded in 1903 and named in honor of Rabbi Jacob Joseph, chief rabbi of New York City's Association of American Orthodox Hebrew...
's
Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society
Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society
The Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society is a semiannual Orthodox Jewish academic journal published by the Rabbi Jacob Joseph School and edited by Alfred Cohen...
:
- Teaching Torah to Women, Spring 5745.
- The Baal Teshuva and the Jewish Community: Re-entry Problems, Fall 5747.
And also to the OU
Orthodox Union
The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America , more popularly known as the Orthodox Union , is one of the oldest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. It is best known for its kosher food preparation supervision service...
's Jewish Action
Jewish Action
Jewish Action is an American Orthodox Jewish magazine published by the Orthodox Union.The magazine generally presents a Modern Orthodox viewpoint, and covers "topics of interest to an international Orthodox Jewish audience.....
magazine:
- Keeping up with the Katz's, (Rosh haShana 5749) (1988), pp. 10–19
- Prayer: Neglected Paths and Forgotten Longings, Fall 5750.
- Beyond the River, Fall 5756.
- Rav Tzaddok the Kohen, Fall 5757.
- A Modern Experiment in Chassidus, Fall 5760.
External links
- Aish Kodesh Homepage
- Inspired Parenting, By Rabbi Moshe Weinberger. thejewisheye.com.
- Shiurim on Shavuos By Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, thejewisheye.com.
- Shiurim For Women By Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, thejewisheye.com.
- Audio lecture Spirituality in the New Age by Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, at Orthodox UnionOrthodox UnionThe Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America , more popularly known as the Orthodox Union , is one of the oldest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. It is best known for its kosher food preparation supervision service...
West Coast Convention in 5757, 613.org. - Audio lecture of Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, Making Everything You Do A Mitzvah YU Torah Online.
- Audio lecture of Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, Zechus of Our Matriarch, YU Torah Online.
- Yom Kippur Shmooze (mp3 download)by Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, 613.org.
- More than 1900 MP3 of his lectures available online.
- Course "Insights into the Chassidic Masters" at Naaleh.com