Rabbi Koppell’s Writings
My Life in Quotes– #3 “The eye with which I see God is the same with which God sees me.”- Meister Eckhart, quoted in D.T. Suzuki, Zen Buddhism There I was majoring in Judaic Studies and Philosophy, and expanding my horizons beyond my insulated Jewish upbringing in Brooklyn. It…
People often confuse Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. The difference between them is crucial. In fact, we might say that it’s the difference between life and death. Veteran’s Day honors all who have served in the US military. Anyone who ever wore the uniform is recognized with our deepest…
Serious Enforcement of Background Checks, Mandatory Training and a Restriction on Possession of Assault Weapons September 2, 2024 Rabbi Bonnie Koppell from https://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org/serious-enforcement-of-background-checks-mandatory-training-and-a-restriction-on-possession-of-assault-weapons/ 7. Be reflective if you must be armed. If you carry a weapon in public service, may God bless you and keep you. But know that evils…
My Life in Quotes– #2 “The only immovable point is the unlimited freedom to change, to preserve freedom without content.”- Paul Tillich, The Courage to Be Following graduation from John Dewey HS, I went on to Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. I knew that I wanted to be a…
I love words. I love when a word exactly captures the moment, the feeling. How it precisely describes something that you experienced but didn’t know exactly how to express. It’s like a warm bath or a deeply satisfying meal. And beyond that- a collection of words. A deeply insightful…
WAIT: Why Am I Talking? Rabbi Bonnie Koppell 1. WHY LISTENING IS IMPORTANT? Shema is the foundational prayer in Jewish life. We say it upon awakening, when going to sleep, and at the end of our lives. Shema! Listen! Listen to your own inner voice. Listen to the word of…
THOU SHALT NOT STEAL Rabbi Bonnie Koppell I can summarize what I want to say to you tonight in four words- “Thou shalt not steal.” It’s even easier in Hebrew; only two words- “Lo tignov.” It’s in the top 10 commandments. Thou shalt not steal. My humble theory is…
On Wednesday evening, our community will gather to usher in the year 5785. We traditionally read the parsha of Nitzavim on this Shabbat, the final Shabbat of the year, anticipating Selichot services tomorrow evening. We notice that the Hebrew root-lashuv- to return, occurs no less than ten times in…
Towards the end of this week’s Torah portion, jam packed with 14 positive- thou shalt, and 27 negative- thou shalt not mitzvot, is the obscure ritual of the egla arufa- a calf that is decapitated. Why, you may ask, would one do such a thing? Well- this ritual takes place…
This week’s parsha opens with one of those epic, profoundly moving, famous verses- (Deuteronomy 11:26)- “See, I set before you, today, blessing and curse.” The text continues to explain that the blessing will come from listening to, and, presumably, following the mitzvot. The curse from not doing so. It’s…