Rabbi Koppell’s Writings
There are, traditionally, 613 mitzvot in the Torah. Fifty One of them are found in this week’s parsha, Kedoshim. Kadosh, of course, means holiness. It’s the root of many words that are familiar- kiddush, the blessing over the wine, kaddish, the prayer that occurs in many forms in the prayerbook,…
Thoughts on the Humbling Gift of Being Honored On October 5th at 5:55 p.m., Lea Plosker called to ask if I would accept the honor of being celebrated at this year’s gala. Will it surprise you to learn that, a) of course I said yes, and, b) I had written…
On being honored at the Temple Chai gala- I am feeling so much love in this room right now that it is a bit overwhelming. It’s too much for me. Can you feel it? I’ve been thinking a lot of the song “Everybody” by Ingrid Michaelson, which you have…
I’m not sure what the origin of April Fool’s Day is, and I AM sure that it’s NOT a Jewish holiday, but I am also sure that I am ready for some levity. We DO have a reference to fools right here in our Kabbalat Shabbat liturgy. In fact, it’s…
Shabbat Zachor- the Shabbat of Remembering. That’s the special name given to this Shabbas, the Shabbat before Purim. So what, exactly, are we supposed to be remembering? Each year we read an additional Torah portion from the book of Deuteronomy describing how the people of Amalek attacked our Israelite ancestors…
This Wednesday night we will come together for the light and joyous holiday of Purim. Purim comes on the 14th of Adar, the final full moon of winter, when, in general, after the darkness of winter, we are ready for fun. And exponentially so at this moment. There has been a super-abundance of darkness on…
Dear Friends, I can’t stop thinking about Babi Yar this week, a ravine in the Ukraine where 75,000 Jews were slaughtered in WWII. Bloodshed is, sadly, well-known to the people of the Ukraine, which is currently home to over 200,000 members of the Jewish community. Some are Russian speaking, with significant ties to…
It’s a quiet night for the Jewish community tonight. 65% of the population in the United States identify as Christian and our neighbors are likely observing traditions that are important and meaningful to them on, perhaps, their holiest night of the year. “All is calm, all is bright.” For some…
Creation, the beauty of the creation, is a foundation of Kabbalat Shabbat. We begin with 6 psalms, one representing each day of the week, each day of the creation of the world, culminating in Shabbat. These psalms express God’s presence in the mountains and the seas, the meadows and the…
When Jessie was pregnant with Helena, we had a baby shower for her. Cards were passed out, and among the questions was, “I hope that you always remember, fill in the blank.” What is it that you hope that a child would always remember? That they are special? That they…