What it Means to be a Child of Judah
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Vayigash (December 18, 2015), on the legacy of Judah, and our communal responsibilities as Jews.
Dec 24, 2015
Shtender
Join Rabbi Michael Knopf, the Rabbi of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, VA, for sermons given from his Shtender.
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Episodes
Jacob Was a Refugee
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Va-Yeitzei (November 20, 2015), as the country debates resettling Syrian refugees in the wake of the Paris terror attacks, some moral clarity from the Torah and from Jewish history.
Nov 26, 2015
Why Conservative Judaism Matters
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Tol’dot (November 13, 2015), as the Conservative Movement gathers for its biennial convention in Chicago, a reflection on its enduring importance.
Nov 19, 2015
Why Sodom Was Destroyed
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Va-Yera (October 30, 2015), why the destruction of an ancient city has enduring relevance for our world.
Nov 05, 2015•11 min
A Better Lion, and a Better You
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Noah (October 16, 2015), what the behavior of the animals on Noah’s Ark can teach us about being our best selves.
Oct 29, 2015
David’s Fallen Sukkah
Rabbi Knopf’s Saturday message for Shabbat Sukkot (October 3, 2015), Rabbi Knopf unpacks an enduring Sukkot mystery.
Oct 16, 2015
The Sukkah and the Hurricane
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Shabbat Sukkot (October 2, 2015), how building and dismantling a Sukkah prepares us for life.
Oct 14, 2015
The Sukkah as Spiritual Conditioning
Rabbi Knopf’s message for Second Day Sukkot (September 29, 2015), the practice of Sukkah can set you up for a great year. Here’s how.
Oct 12, 2015
In Every Direction
Rabbi Knopf’s message for First Day Sukkot (September 28, 2015), what Sukkot teaches us about the nature of our world and everything in it.
Oct 09, 2015
Bound Together
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Va-Yelekh (September 25, 2015), what the four species of Sukkot teach us about the importance of Jewish unity.
Oct 08, 2015
Our Kids
Rabbi Knopf’s message for Yom Kippur day 5776/2015, on seeing all kids as our kids, from Baltimore to Damascus, and everything in between.
Oct 02, 2015
Mastering the Service of the Heart
Rabbi Knopf’s message for Kol Nidrei 5776/2015, on prayer for us skeptics.
Oct 01, 2015
The Diamond
Rabbi Knopf’s sermon for Rosh Hashanah Live on the 2nd night of Rosh Hashanah 5776.
Sep 23, 2015
Where They Are
Rabbi Knopf’s sermon for 1st Day Rosh Hashanah 5776, a vision for how synagogues can win the future by being more like God and Wall Drug.
Sep 22, 2015
Make Everything Torah
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Nitzavim (September 11, 2015). Torah is not simply about what you believe, but what you do; not about religious acts, but about making every act a religious expression
Sep 21, 2015
The Responsibilities of Luckiness
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Ki Tavo (September 4, 2015). A message from the Torah on the refugee crisis: The proper response to blessings in our life is gratitude and generosity.
Sep 14, 2015•15 min
Show, Don’t Tell
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Ki Tetzei (August 28, 2015). When you want to encourage someone to behave a certain way, it’s important to lead by example.
Sep 02, 2015
Fake It Till You Make It
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Re’eh (August 14, 2015). Most of us don’t live religious lives because we don’t believe in a commanding God. But what if we had the equation backwards?
Aug 24, 2015
Israel – Loyal Opposition
Rabbi Knopf’s Saturday message for Parashat Re’eh (August 15, 2015). Not only is loving criticism of Israel kosher, it’s commanded.
Aug 23, 2015
Israel – The Fragile Miracle
Rabbi Knopf’s Saturday message for Parashat Eikev (August 8, 2015). Why we dare not take Israel for granted.
Aug 19, 2015
How Prayer Works
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Eikev (August 7, 2015). Most of us know that prayer doesn’t save us, but here’s how prayer makes us worth saving.
Aug 17, 2015
Israel – Why It Matters
Rabbi Knopf’s Saturday message for Parashat Va-Et’hanan (August 1, 2015). The Jewish culture made possible only through statehood benefits us all.
Aug 12, 2015
The Fools of Prophecy
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Va-Et’hanan (July 31, 2015). As the Jewish community debates the Iran deal, we must remember that no one can predict the future.
Aug 10, 2015
Israel – The Agitator State
Rabbi Knopf’s Saturday message for Parashat Devarim (July 25, 2015). A provocative suggestion for what it means to call Israel “The Jewish State.”
Aug 06, 2015
Are You Lonesome Tonight?
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Devarim (July 24, 2015). Tisha B’Av reminds us of the ethical dangers of independence.
Aug 03, 2015
For the Charleston Nine
Rabbi Knopf's message for Shabbat Parashat Korah (June 19-20, 2015). A Jewish response to last week's horrific attack on Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC.
Jun 22, 2015•15 min
Cowed by How
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Shelah Lekha (June 12, 2015). What the founders of Home Depot, a toddler, and two good spies have in common.
Jun 18, 2015
Will You Marry Me?
Rabbi Knopf’s Shabbat message for parashat Emor (May 9, 2015): Rabbi Knopf’s second sermon for the series “Be Holy.”
May 21, 2015
Words Create Worlds
Rabbi Knopf’s Friday message for Parashat Emor (May 8, 2015).
May 18, 2015
The Questions God Asks
A D’var Torah for Temple Beth-El’s 84th annual meeting.
May 13, 2015
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