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Read Rabbi Knopf’s Recent Posts
- Crimes Against Humanity — Parashat Nasso 5783 June 4, 2023
- A Temple For All – Parashat Ki Tissa 5783 March 12, 2023
- Don’t Hate One Another More Than Necessary March 10, 2023
- Antisemitism bills shouldn’t stifle free speech February 13, 2023
- With Israel’s Democracy In Danger, We Must Not Silence Critics January 23, 2023
Tag Archives: God
The World Was Created for You — Parashat Ha-Azinu 5783
The 19th century hasidic master Reb Simcha Bunim of Peshischa famously taught that a person should always carry a note in each of their pockets. On one should be written the biblical verse, “anokhi afar va-efer / I am dust … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged ethics, God, human dignity, human-rights, Judaism, justice, parashah, religion, social justice, society, spirituality, Torah, torah portion, wisdom
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Up Close and Far Away: Parashat Bo 5782
Whenever I talk to or run into someone I haven’t spoken to or seen in a while, and they say something like, “I love seeing pictures of your family on social media; your kids always look so happy and well-behaved. … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged exodus, exodus story, God, Judaism, parashah, spirituality, Torah, torah portion, wisdom
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Mad World: Kol Nidrei/Yom Kippur 5781
Once upon a time, there was a king who possessed the unique ability to read the stars and discern the future. One night, while gazing at the stars, the king learned a shocking piece of news: all of the produce … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged fake news, God, justice, nature of god, politics, propaganda, Religion and Politics, social justice, social media, Torah, truth
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Socially Distant, Spiritually Close: Rosh Hashanah Day 1 5781
About six months ago, we began a journey into an uncharted wilderness. I wish I could say today that we made it through to the Promised Land. But here we are. Or, perhaps more accurately — here we’re not. That’s … Continue reading
A New Prayer for the United States of America
Our God and God of our ancestors, bless and protect the United States of America and secure, strengthen, and advance the ideals and institutions that are its pride and its glory. Guide our leaders and officials to see Your image … Continue reading
Posted in Prayers, Uncategorized
Tagged community, culture, current-events, faith, God, history, human-rights, inclusion, justice, Liberation, liberty, morality, peace, philosophy, politics, prayer, religion, social justice, society, spirituality
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Listen to Her Voice!
Picture, if you will, a world of rigid hierarchies, where men control women’s lives, and women are used for their bodies. Perhaps it sounds like I am describing The Handmaid’s Tale, the classic dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood that was … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged #MeToo, culture, current-events, equality, feminism, God, justice, personal, politics, religion, social justice, society, women
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Statement about the President’s Islamophobic Tweets
Tuesday morning, President Trump retweeted several outrageous (and, reports indicate, phony) Islamophobic videos from a fringe British ultranationalist group. The outburst represents a continuation of a disturbing pattern. President Trump routinely targets and vilifies Muslims. The pattern seems to intensify … Continue reading
Posted in Public Statements, Reflections
Tagged American Judaism, community, equality, ethics, fear, God, human-rights, Islam, Islamophobia, Jewish thought, Judaism, justice, leadership, middle-east, Muslim-Jewish relations, peace, politics, race, racism, religion, social justice, theology, Torah, Trump
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30 Days of Liberation 2017
The Talmud teaches that, during the 30 days before Passover, we should learn about matters related to the holiday. In that spirit, I composed a brief message for each of the previous 30 days, drawing from the wisdom Passover imparts. I hope you find these … Continue reading
Posted in 30 Days of Liberation, Reflections
Tagged faith, God, holidays, Jewish holidays, Liberation, Passover, personal, Pesah, religion, spirituality
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Remarks at 2016 Community Eid Dinner
As-Salam-u-Alaikum and Eid Mubarak. Adira joins me in expressing what an honor it is to be with you this evening. I am deeply grateful to the organizers for their generous invitation, for all their holy work on behalf of the … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged ethics, God, holidays, interfaith, Jewish holidays, Jewish People, Judaism, justice, nature of god, peace, politics, rabbis, religion, social justice, society, Tisha B'Av, Torah, wisdom
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30 Days of Liberation – 2016
The Talmud teaches that, during the 30 days before Passover, we should learn about matters related to the holiday. In that spirit, I composed a brief message for each of the previous 30 days, drawing from the wisdom Passover imparts. I hope you find these … Continue reading
Posted in 30 Days of Liberation, Reflections
Tagged ethics, God, growth, holidays, Jewish People, Judaism, Passover, Pesah, religion, social justice, society, spirituality, theology, Torah, wisdom
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Rabbi Michael Rose Knopf 