Rabbi Koppell’s Writings
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…
This week’s Torah portion. Balak, contains the well-known story of the talking donkey who tries to prevent the prophet Balaam from cursing the Israelite people. Balak, the king of Moab, hires him to curse the Israelites during the journey through the wilderness. Why, you might ask? Balak expresses fear that…
Let me start off by saying that I am pro-10 commandments. In Jewish tradition, we classically have 613 commandments, but the top ten are a pretty good start. In fact, without looking in your Shabbat bulletin, how many people can name all 10? (show of hands/shout out) THE TEN STATEMENTS…
In your Shabbat bulletin you will find a list of my 30 favorite verses in the Torah. I started off with a goal of 10, but the list quickly expanded. I am happy to share with you privately what I love about each of the ones I chose. Some of them are…
The book of BaMidbar picks up where Exodus left off. Our Israelite ancestors escaped from slavery in Egypt, successfully passed through the red sea, and received the Torah at Mount Sinai. The story is interrupted by the entire book of Leviticus, describing the responsibilities of the priests as they establish…
This week’s Torah portion, B’Har addresses issues of economic justice and social equality, environmental stewardship – the sabbatical and Jubilee years. All of these are meaningful and important and worthy of a full and rich sermon. And none of them are what I’d like to address right now. Instead- I…
After perhaps too much preparation, we find ourselves in the midst of our Passover celebration. Perhaps the message of “Dayenu” has found its way into our hearts? Instead of spending all of our time shopping and cooking and cleaning, what if, instead, we shifted our perspective on Passover and understand…
Why is this Passover seder different from all other Passover seders? Passover celebrates liberation. It celebrates freedom. It celebrates the exodus from slavery. And yet. . . Over 100 Israeli hostages are not free to celebrate with their families this year. Our joy is diminished as we feel the lack…