GREAT READS → CALLIGRAPHY Issue 1081 · September 30, 2025

In Plain View

Menashe shut his eyes for a moment and waited. Then— “Not a blizzard’s chance on Venus, Rabbi!”

In Plain View

Rules of the Rabbinate #83: Fist bumps aren’t ideal but not worth making a fuss over.

Rabbi Menashe Kaden, in line with this freshly minted rule, leaned forward and responded to the outstretched fist with one of his own. He watched as Asher Leigin walked off, a jump in his step, and smiled to himself. Clearly, it was the right decision.

But then he glanced back at his sefer. They would be davening Minchah soon and he had to quickly prepare a devar halachah to share as they waited for the zeman to daven Maariv. Asher had interrupted to inform him that he finished preparing the chaburah he’d be delivering at night seder — and to receive a fist bump for doing so. But now, back to work. Where was he? Ah, yes, hilchos kilayim.

Menashe (Rules of the Rabbinate #1: Refer to yourself as “Menashe,” NOT “Rabbi Kaden”) always felt a rush of energy as Minchah began. Mispallelim (Rules of the Rabbinate #3: Call themmispallelim,” notbalabatim) came hurrying in from work: doctors in scrubs, construction managers in dusty safety boots and baggy pants, lawyers looking asymmetrical in their fitted suits and battered hats.

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