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Read Rabbi Knopf’s Recent Posts
- Here’s the Advice I Would Give to New Rabbis… June 25, 2017
- 6 Years as a Rabbi: What I’ve Learned June 16, 2017
- Do You control Your Monuments, or Do They Control You? – Shavuot 2017 June 2, 2017
- Remarks from Richmond Rally Against Muslim Ban May 9, 2017
- 30 Days of Liberation 2017 April 14, 2017
Tag Archives: holidays
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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Illumin8 2016
1st Night – Playing with Fire During the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Holy Temple had been used for the worship of Greek gods. When the Maccabees captured it, they set about rededicating it for the service of the God … Continue reading
Posted in Illumin8, Reflections, Uncategorized
Tagged Chanukah, faith, Hanukkah, holidays, Jewish holidays, positive psychology, psychology, 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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Moses for President
As the U.S. presidential primary process slouches toward what will doubtlessly be a contested convention season this summer, I find myself not infrequently wondering what guidance the Jewish tradition would have for selecting our next leader. I have already written … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds
Tagged ethics, holidays, Judaism, justice, Moses, Passover, Pesah, politics, religion, social justice, society, 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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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: 7th Night – Spiritual But Not Religious?
Hanukkah, unlike many other Jewish holidays, is basically a one-note song. The one ritual required, aside from a few changes to the liturgy, is lighting candles. Sure, many of us exchange gifts, eat deep-fried treats and gamble chocolate coins … Continue reading
Posted in Illumin8, Reflections
Tagged assimilation, Chanukah, Hanukkah, holidays, Pew Study, religion, spirituality
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