Tag Archives: spirituality

When the Devil Comes for You: Parashat Tazria 5782

Posted on April 2, 2022 by mjknopf

Sometimes, live television affords us moments that could never have been predicted in advance and yet, as you watch them happen, you know you are witnessing something that everyone is going to be talking about for years to come.  Last … Continue reading →

Posted in Sermons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Up Close and Far Away: Parashat Bo 5782

Posted on January 10, 2022 by mjknopf

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 , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Time to Live: Parashat Va-Yeshev 5782

Posted on November 28, 2021 by mjknopf

In the grand scheme of things, our lives are extremely short. On average, most of us will only live to 75 or 80. If we’re lucky, maybe we will live 120 joyful years. Perhaps modern medicine will help us to … Continue reading →

Posted in Sermons | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

To Be, or Not To Be: Sukkot 5782

Posted on September 26, 2021 by mjknopf

When I first became a father, I felt the predictable mix of joy, excitement, and fear. Other fathers had told me to expect all of those feelings, particularly the fear. Babies are fragile and needy and apparently don’t come with … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Sermons | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Our Masks: Kol Nidrei 5782

Posted on September 20, 2021 by mjknopf

We’ve each come up with our own tricks to make the past year and a half a little more bearable. One of mine is that, sometimes, when I’m wearing a mask, I like to pretend I’m a ninja, or a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Socially Distant, Spiritually Close: Rosh Hashanah Day 1 5781

Posted on September 21, 2020 by mjknopf

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A New Prayer for the United States of America

Posted on July 15, 2020 by mjknopf

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

‘We can be so much more when we live in love’: Two area faith leaders share thoughts of hope, help during COVID pandemic

Posted on May 25, 2020 by mjknopf

The following are thoughts that David Dwight, Lead Pastor of Hope Church in Richmond, and I shared with the Richmond Times-Dispatch on helping people through the difficulties of life in COVID-19. (The questions and responses have been edited for length … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles and Op-Eds, Public Statements, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Leaning Into Love: A Jewish Message for Lent/Easter 2020

Posted on April 27, 2020 by mjknopf

I was honored to be invited to offer remarks at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Richmond, VA) during the Lenten season. Unfortunately, those plans were…altered…by the pandemic. But my message has been posted on YouTube. You can check it out here:

Posted in Reflections, Sermons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What God Needs Now: A Brief Pandemic Passover Reflection

Posted on April 12, 2020 by mjknopf

“Once, Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai was traveling out of Jerusalem. Rabbi Yehoshua was walking behind him and saw the Temple in ruins. He said, ‘Alas for us, for this place which lies in ruins was where the people Israel atoned … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Sermons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment