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Read Rabbi Knopf’s Recent Posts
- 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
- Saving Democracy is a Jewish Obligation November 1, 2022
Tag Archives: torah portion
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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When the Devil Comes for You: Parashat Tazria 5782
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 academy awards, Chris rock, Denzel washington, Oscars, parashah, pop culture, religion, sedra, society, spirituality, Torah, torah portion, will smith, 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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And Out Come the Wolves: Parashat Va-Yehi 5782
**Trigger warning: sexual assault and violence** It’s altogether fitting that we read Parashat Va-Yehi, the last portion in the Book of Genesis, this Shabbat, as we approach the end of the secular year. Endings are always meaningful opportunities to reflect … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged genesis, Judaism, judges, justice, parashah, politics, social justice, society, Torah, torah portion
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Everyone Has a Right to Sanctuary – Parashat Matot-Mas’ei 2019
Parashat Mas’ei, the last portion of Ba-Midbar, is both backward and forward looking in nature: It is backward looking, because it begins with a recapitulation of all the places the Israelites sojourned in the wilderness; and it is forward looking … Continue reading
Posted in Reflections, Sermons
Tagged asylum, cities of refuge, current-events, faith, history, immigration, numbers, parashah, personal, politics, religion, society, Torah, torah portion
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My Song and My Strength – Parashat Beshallah 2012
The splitting of the Sea of Reeds is, perhaps, the most exhilarating scene in the Torah: The Israelites, escaping Pharaoh’s cruel slavery, hastily flee from Egypt and camp at the banks of the Sea. Meanwhile, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened one … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged exodus, exodus story, growth, Judaism, miracles, nature of god, parashah, positive thinking, psychology, rabbinic midrash, red sea, religion, sea of reeds, sedra, sermon, spirituality, theology, Torah, torah portion, wisdom
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Rabbi Michael Rose Knopf 