Moshe Weinberger

Rabbi Moshe Weinberger (born June 1957) is a Chasidic rebbe who is the founder and current rabbi of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, New York.

He is a lecturer and author.[1] Some regard him as a posek ("decisor" of Jewish law)[2] and a Jewish leader[3] who is actively involved in Jewish Outreach.[4][5]

In the Fall of 2013, Rabbi Moshe Weinberger was appointed Mashpia of Yeshivas Rabeinu Yitzchok Elchanan (Yeshiva University).

Background and education

Rabbi Weinberger's grandparents were Belz Chasidim. He dropped out of law school to study Judaism in order to become a rabbi.[6]

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 while there was a student in Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's shiur (class). Rabbi Weinberger often uses experiences and lessons from Rabbi Soloveitchik's shiur in his many current shiurim (classes). Rabbi Weinberger has since adopted the style of a Chasidic rebbe.

A modern Chasidic rebbe

Rabbi Weinberger adopted Chasidic attire (a Chasidic-style black hat during the week (known as a Biberhit, or Hoiche Beiberhit in Yiddish), and a shtreimel on Shabbat) and Payos ("side locks") while emphasising and spreading Chasidic thought. His teachings derive in part from Chabad,[7] Breslov,[8] Izbica,[9] and others.[10] In addition he began teaching works that were previously not easily available to the English-speaking public such as Rav Kook[11] and the seforim of Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh.[12][13]

Teaching career

He has been a career educator. For over twenty years, Weinberger was a teacher ("rebbe") at Ezra Academy, a Jewish day school in Queens and prior to that he taught at a local yeshiva in Far Rockaway.[6]

He encourages spiritual growth in many Jews,[14][15] and is a founder of an English speaking Yeshiva.[16]

He is a sought-after lecturer[17][18][19] in all kinds of Jewish communal gatherings,[20] serving as scholar-in-residence in synagogues around the United States.[21][22] He has also served as an invited inspirational speaker for youth in Jewish High Schools.[23]

He has given various lectures on different topics in many synagogues on a regular basis[24][25] and has developed a library of more than 2800 MP3s.

Works

He is the author of a book called Jewish Outreach - a Halachic Perspective, KTAV publishing, (1990) ISBN 0-88125-355-3, 168 pages. Published in conjunction with the Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals, this book examines the halakhic issues related to Jewish outreach. 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?[26]

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:

References

  1. ↑ As recognized as such by the National Council of Young Israel
  2. ↑ His work is cited in numerous halachik subjects: 1. The Obligation of Jews to Seek Observance of Noachide Laws by Gentiles, by Rabbi Michael J. Broyde. jlaw.com 2. Women's prayer services - theory and practice, daat.ac.il. 3. Bicycle Riding on Yom Tob, www.judaic.org
  3. ↑ For instance, varies kinds of organizations, groups, publications institutions and charities take his blessings and advertise his endorsements, in order to raise money, a Breslav Hasidic charity a Litvish Lakewood, NJ based Jewish outreach center
  4. ↑ Hecht, Rabbi Benjamin (January 12, 2005). "Kiruv: A Paradox of Hashkafa". nishma.org.
  5. ↑ He is closely working with such organizations as the Jewish Heritage Center, Jewish Renaissance Center, Hashevaynu, Ohr Somayach, NCSY, JEP and AJOP
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Rose, Binyamin (January 12, 2005). "Gathering Sparks in Woodmere. - Rabbi Moshe Weinberger sparks the souls of his congregants at Aish Kodesh of Woodmere, Long Island, with the teachings of the Piasezne Rebbe, Hy"d". Cover Story in Mishpacha Megezine.
  7. ↑ Aish Kodesh Shiurim in Ba'al Hatanya
  8. ↑ New Breslov Shiur Over the Phone, by Noted teacher of Chassidic thought Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, The Breslov Center.
  9. ↑ Lectures from Rabbi Moshe Weinberger on Izbica
  10. ↑ Rabbi Weinberger's lectures in the different Chasidic thoughts
  11. ↑ Aish Kodesh Shiurim in Oros Ha'Teshvah
  12. ↑ Aish Kodesh Shiurim in Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh I
  13. ↑ The Bilvavi Website with original hebrew MP3's and video shiurim
  14. ↑ From Modern Jews to Hasidim re next reference
  15. ↑ B. Berman (July 14, 2006). "Rav Moshe Weinberger Meets his Spiritual Grandchildren" (PDF). Hamodia.
  16. ↑ July 14, 2006 How a Yeshiva was founded through another famous rabbi urging an activist to get Rav Wienberger involved, The Jewish Press
  17. ↑ His inspirational stories and ideas are quoted and reverberated by such notable Jewish Outreach websites from aish.com to such new age Chabad outreach as The Meaningful Life Center
  18. ↑ Aldrich, Daniel P. (October 16, 2005). "Sukkot: After the Deluge". Aish.com.
  19. ↑ Jacobson, Yosef Y. "Rising from the Ashes". meaningfullife.com.
  20. ↑ An International Conference On Orthodox Judaism and Mental Health Co-Sponsored by The Jewish Press, Nefesh event. Dealing With Crises In the Frum Community, or at the OU West Coast Convention in 5757 Spirituality in the New Age.
  21. ↑ AdultEd.qxd
  22. ↑ Houston, Texas: Torah With A Texas Twang
  23. ↑ News from SKA High School for Girls
  24. ↑ shiur
  25. ↑ Home Page
  26. ↑ Edah - The courage to be modern and orthodox, The Modern Orthodox library. "Subcategory: Ethics and Chesed (Ninth book on list)".

External links