Shtender

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Beshallah (Saturday, February 8), Rabbi Knopf discusses the importance of hope in the Jewish tradition, and how it calls upon us to march forward, even and especially in dark times. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, […]

Rabbi Knopf’s Shabbat message for Parashat Va-Yeshev (December 20, 2019): Joseph’s brothers make it easier to harm him by dehumanizing him. This was the mega-trend of the 2010’s. Can we do it differently in the next decade, and forge a different future? How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you […]

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Toldot (November 30, 2019), Rabbi Knopf explains the unique spiritual and moral characteristics of Jacob that made him worthy of inheriting the mantle of leadership from his father, Isaac. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, […]

For his Yom Kippur message (October 9, 2019), Rabbi Knopf talks about the resurgence of antisemitism in the US and around the world, and what we can and should do about it. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

For his Yom Kippur evening message (October 8, 2019), Rabbi Knopf explores lovingly and honestly the condition of the promises made to the Jewish people and the world by the modern state of Israel. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s […]

In his message for Shabbat Shuvah (October 5, 2019), Rabbi Knopf explains that repentance isn’t something we just do during the High Holy Day season. Rather, it is ongoing work, a way we approach life itself. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, […]

In his message for the first day of Rosh Hashanah (September 30, 2019), Rabbi Knopf explains how we can emulate God by supporting the vulnerable and the oppressed, especially during this time of indifference and cruelty. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, […]

In his message for the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah (October 1, 2019), Rabbi Knopf talks about the religious roots of white supremacy and racism, and prescribes a religious antidote. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

In his Shabbat, message for Parashat Matot-Mas’ei (August 3, 2019), Rabbi Knopf teaches that, while it’s unclear if the Torah’s Cities of Refuge ever existed, it is abundantly clear how far we are today in this country from upholding the fundamental moral message of the Cities of Refuge. How do you listen to Shtender? You […]

Rabbi Knopf’s Shabbat message for Parashat Pinhas (July 27, 2019), connecting the zealotry of the eponymous character with the commandment regarding the Tamid or daily Temple sacrifice. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Korach (Saturday, July 6), Rabbi Knopf unpacks the meaning of Korach’s rebellion, and, drawing a connection with the American Revolution, discusses what it means for us today. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your […]

Rabbi Knopf’s message for Parashat Nasso (June 15, 2019), discussing how the beginning of Numbers, which depicts order, contrasts with the rest of Numbers, which depicts chaos, and what that contrast teaches us today. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s […]

Rabbi Knopf’s message for the 2nd Day of Shavuot (June 10, 2019), explaining how the book of Ruth is a model for growth after the trauma of loss. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbi Knopf’s message for the 1st day of Shavuot (Sunday, June 9, 2019), discussing the content of the revelation at Mt. Sinai, and its implications for our understanding of Torah today. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbi Knopf’s message for parashat Behar-Behukkotai (June 1, 2019), addressing the mass shooting in Virginia Beach, which occurred a day earlier. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbi Knopf’s Shabbat message for Parashat Aharei Mot connects Game of Thrones, Leviticus, and the recent shooting at the Chabad synagogue in Poway, California. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

In his message for the 2nd day of Passover (April 21, 2019), Rabbi Knopf discusses the significance of Elijah the Prophet’s appearance at the Seder, and how to recognize the Messiah. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

In his sermon for the first day of Passover (April 20, 2019), Rabbi Knopf unpacks the significance of the prayer for dew, which is recited on the holiday, and which holds a powerful message about the partnership between God and humanity. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? […]

n a special sermon delivered at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Richmond (April 3, 2019), Rabbi Knopf teaches an interfaith audience of hundreds about the Jewish idea of the “Heavenly Jerusalem,” and how we have the power to make heaven on Earth. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options […]

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Shemini (March 30, 2019), Rabbi Knopf explains that a possible reason for the laws of kashrut are that they prepare us to draw clear ethical lines and make tough moral choices. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, […]

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Tzav (March 23, 2019), Rabbi Knopf explains the contemporary meaning of the installation of Aaron and the priesthood in the ancient tabernacle. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Vayak’hel (March 2, 2019), Rabbi Knopf explains that the building of the Tabernacle is training for repairing the world, much as the Jewish imperative to build a righteous and just Israel is meant to inspire all the nations of the world. How do you listen to Shtender? You have […]

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Terumah (February 9, 2019), Rabbi Knopfs discusses the recent political uproar in Virginia and the Torah’s wisdom for a pathway forward. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Mishpatim (February 2, 2019), Rabbi Knopf reflects on his recent trip to Guatemala with American Jewish World Service, where he came away with the message that all lives must be considered equal, and that we are called to build a society, and ultimately a world, that enshrines and ensures […]

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Bo (January 12, 2019), Rabbi Knopf uses a linguistic connection to unpack one of the primary messages of the Exodus narrative. How do you listen to Shtender? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

In his message for Parashat Va-era (January 5, 2019), Rabbi Knopf explains that while failure is both inevitable and desirable, it is possible to fail at failure. Here’s how to succeed.

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Shemot (December 29, 2018), Rabbi Knopf draws a parallel between Pharaoh and today’s growing threat of authoritarianism, and discusses how we, like Moses and Aaron, can confront this challenge in 2019.

Rabbi Knopf’s Shabbat message for Parashat Va-Yehi (December 22, 2018), connecting the unlikely dots of Bruce Springsteen, Jacob, Joseph, and the funeral of a family friend.

Rabbi Knopf’s Shabbat message for Parashat Vayigash (December 15, 2018), a discussion of how to pray with proper intention.

In his Shabbat message for Hanukkah (December 8, 2018), Rabbi Knopf explains how the ancient rabbis covered up the real story of Hanukkah and invented a new one in order to teach a lesson about pluralism and power.      

Rabbi Knopf explains the power of the Hallel service, which invites us to partner with God, shake off the dust, and rise.

On December 1 and 2, 2018, Rabbi Michal Knopf participated in an interfaith “pulpit swap” with colleague, Rev. Hollie Woodruff, of Seventh Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Richmond. She preached on Saturday, and he spoke to her congregation on Sunday. The topic was “Spiritual Revolutionaries: Making Religion Relevant in the 21st Century”. This episode is […]

On December 1 and 2, 2018, Rabbi Michal Knopf participated in an interfaith “pulpit swap” with colleague, Rev. Hollie Woodruff, of Seventh Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Richmond. She preached on Saturday, and he spoke to her congregation on Sunday. The topic was “Spiritual Revolutionaries: Making Religion Relevant in the 21st Century”. This episode […]

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Vayetze (November 17, 2018), Rabbi Knopf discusses the meaning of a strange story about the matriarch Rachel stealing her father’s idols, explaining that it is a story about needing to let go of the past to become who you were meant to be.      

In his Friday message for Parashat Toldot (November 9, 2018), Rabbi Knopf explains that our identity is formed by how we show up and what we do in the world.      

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Hayyei Sarah (November 3, 2018), Rabbi Knopf offers a message of healing and hope following the attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Vayera (October 27, 2018), Rabbi Knopf shares that the story of the Binding of Isaac has a crucial lesson to teach for our incredibly politically charged moment.      

Most of us don’t believe that rainfall depends on moral behavior or that God literally raises the dead. Yet the liturgy of Shemini Atzeret asserts both of those things simultaneously. In this holiday message, Rabbi Knopf brings these practices into the 21st century.      

The biblical book of Ecclesiastes, which is read on Shabbat during the Sukkot holiday, is one of the most misunderstood books of the Bible. In this brief talk, Rabbi Knopf offers a unique way of understanding Ecclesiastes that is relevant for our times, and morally and spiritually challenging.

Waving the Lulav and Etrog on Sukkot is how we take the secular act of repeating a harvest and turn it into the spiritual act of gratitude, which elevates and directs our joy in an already joyous season.

Introducing the confessional prayer on Yom Kippur morning, Rabbi Knopf points out that its plural language means we share responsibility for the sins of our community. In a democracy, that means we must participate in the processes — like voting — that make our society better.      

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Noah (October 13, 2018), Rabbi Knopf discusses how the Tower of Babel story teaches us about the dangers of uniform thinking.      

In his Yom Kippur sermon, Rabbi Knopf talks about the role of luck in our lives, and how Jewish tradition offers pathways for the privileged few to level the playing field for those who have been less fortunate.      

For his Kol Nidrei sermon, Rabbi Knopf shares a personal account of his struggles with social media addiction, and what he learned about himself could help others, and open up a new way of relating to the holiest day of the Jewish year.

Rabbi Knopf teaches the Torah’s commandment not to return runaway slaves, and discusses its implications for today, particularly regarding the current assaults on immigrant communities, in his Shabbat message for Parashat Ki Teitzei (August 25, 2018)      

Rabbi Knopf’s introduction to the Shofar service on the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah 2018, introducing the Shofar’s call as a reminder of how to be sane in a world gone mad.      

Rabbi Knopf’s message for the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah 2018, an exploration of what it means to be part of a community, and an invitation to show up for each other.      

Rabbi Knopf’s message for the 1st day of Rosh Hashanah 2018, a forceful call for women’s equality in the Jewish world and beyond.      

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Eikev (August 4, 2018), Rabbi Knopf discusses the conditions the Torah attaches to living in the Land of Israel, and their implications for the modern-day Jewish State.      

Rabbi Knopf’s Shabbat message for Parashat Va-Et’hanan (Saturday, July 28, 2018), discussing the significance and challenge of the 10th commandment – not to desire that which does not belong to us.