Justice

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Violating the Law of Land Warfare

By Rabbi Bonnie Koppell | 10/08/2023 | Comments Off on Violating the Law of Land Warfare

Violating the Law of Land Warfare Rabbi Bonnie Koppell CH (COL) USAR- Retired War has been part of human history for as long as we know. In the Torah, , by Genesis 14 Avram is doing battle with 4 local kings, and his nephew Lot is captured. Avram is forced…

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Taps for Private Jason Daniel Hasenauer/Taps for Afghanistan

By Rabbi Bonnie Koppell | 08/22/2021 | Comments Off on Taps for Private Jason Daniel Hasenauer/Taps for Afghanistan

At Kabbalat Shabbat we reflect on the week that is drawing to a close.  My week has been consumed by images of Afghanistan, where I was privileged to spend Chanukkah on two separate tours, in Kandahar, Bagram, and an obscure Forward Operating Base on the border of Pakistan. I think…

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Balak, Bilaam, and the Israelite Refugees

By Rabbi Bonnie Koppell | 07/01/2018 | Comments Off on Balak, Bilaam, and the Israelite Refugees

Massive numbers of people amassed in a temporary encampment. The people of the land feel threatened. They are in dread of the children. The southern border of Arizona? No. This week’s Torah portion, Balak. Here’s how the parsha begins, in Numbers 22:3- “Moab was alarmed because that people was so…

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Respect for Law Alliance

By Rabbi Bonnie Koppell | 06/02/2010 | Comments Off on Respect for Law Alliance

On June 1, 2010, I had the privilege of being honored by the Respect for Law Alliance as their Military Leader Honoree.  Below is the text of my remarks on that occasion.  â€” In the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 16, verse 20, we read, “Justice, justice shall you pursue, in…