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Read Rabbi Knopf’s Recent Posts
- Shabbat for Shabbat’s Sake: Parashat Sh’lakh Lekha 5782 June 25, 2022
- Embrace the Wilderness: Parashat Beha’alotekha 5782 June 21, 2022
- Message to the Class of 2022 June 20, 2022
- Punk’s Not Dead, It’s Jewish: Shavuot 5782 June 7, 2022
- ‘Earn This’: Last Day of Passover 5782 April 24, 2022
Tag Archives: growth
The World is Yours, But it Doesn’t Belong to You
On June 14, 2018, I was honored to speak to the graduating class of Maggie Walker Governor’s School at their Baccalaureate ceremony. Here’s what I said: Class of 2018, Let me begin by expressing my gratitude for having been invited … Continue reading
Posted in Public Statements, Reflections, Sermons
Tagged community, current-events, gratitude, growth, history, human-rights, justice, peace, personal, politics, prayer, religion, social justice, society, spirituality, terrorism
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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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I Fell in Love With David Bowie and Judaism Together, for Complementary Reasons
Like millions of others, I was shocked and devastated to hear of David Bowie’s tragic and untimely death on Monday. But as is so frequently the case, we only reflect on what someone meant to us, on what they taught … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds
Tagged david bowie, growth, Judaism, religion, Torah, wisdom
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30 Days of Liberation 2015
The Talmud teaches that 30 days before Passover, we should start learning about matters related to the holiday. In that spirit, I humbly offer, as in past years, “30 Days of Liberation.” For each of the next 30 days, I will offer a brief message, … Continue reading
Posted in 30 Days of Liberation, Reflections
Tagged God, growth, holidays, Judaism, Passover, Pesah
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Illumin8: 8th Night – What Now?
I remember the moment Adira and I first left the hospital after Lilah was born. We had just gone through the emotional and physical avalanche of giving birth, which felt like the culmination of nine long months of preparation, anxiety, … Continue reading
Why I Circumcised My Own Son
I recently had the incredible joy of ushering my new son into the covenant of the Jewish people through the rite of brit milah. According to Jewish law, a Jewish father must circumcise his son at eight days old. Most fathers, … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds
Tagged blessing, brit milah, fatherhood, fear, growth, Judaism, parenting, spirituality, Torah
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The Quantified Life – Yom Kippur 5775
Little Emily waits at the bus stop for her first day of 3rd Grade. She’s excited – to reunite with her friends, share some summer stories, and get to know her new teachers – but there is little unfamiliar about … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged data, God, growth, High Holidays, holidays, meaning of life, psychology, religion, sermon, social media, society
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Recipe for a Renaissance – Kol Nidrei 5774
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Conservative Judaism, growth, holidays, Judaism, religion, sermon, social justice, synagogues, Torah, wisdom, Yom Kippur
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My First 3 Years as a Rabbi: What I’ve Learned
Yesterday, I completed my tenure as Assistant Rabbi of Har Zion Temple. As I transition to the next stage of my life, I find myself reflecting on my first three years in the rabbinate. What follows are some of things that I have learned during … Continue reading
30 Days of Liberation: Day 26 – Open Up
After the meal we open our doors. Most of us think of this act as welcoming Elijah the Prophet. But according to the medieval Polish sage Moses Isserles, who lived at a time when it was dangerous to publicize one’s … Continue reading
Posted in 30 Days of Liberation, Reflections
Tagged growth, health, holidays, Judaism, Passover, Pesah, psychology, spirituality, wisdom
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Rabbi Michael Rose Knopf 