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 Shten

The Decade of Dehumanization

Feb 6th, 2020 19m 26s

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 differen

Restraint and Transcendence

Jan 23rd, 2020

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 t

Nature Abhors a Vacuum. Antisemitism Loves One

Dec 12th, 2019 28m 58s

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? iTun

The Promises of Israel

Nov 28th, 2019 26m 43s

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

How Repentance Really Works

Nov 14th, 2019 16m 49s

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

Where The Oppressed Shed Tears

Oct 31st, 2019 27m 26s

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 Sh

Bad Faith Broke Us. Only Good Faith Can Fix Us.

Oct 17th, 2019 30m 38s

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

Everyone Has a Right to Sanctuary

Aug 15th, 2019 19m 6s

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 fundam

Keep The Fires Burning

Aug 8th, 2019 6m 43s

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 y

Korach and the Unfinished Business of 1776

Aug 1st, 2019 21m 17s

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? Y

Entropy and the Imposition of Order

Jul 18th, 2019

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 Shten

Love, Loss, and the Book of Ruth

Jul 11th, 2019

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, S

There Are Only Two Commandments…The Rest is Commentary

Jul 4th, 2019

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

Guns and the Disregard for Human Life

Jun 27th, 2019

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, S

Valar Dohaeris

Jun 6th, 2019 16m 34s

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,

When Elijah Comes to the Seder

May 30th, 2019 18m 39s

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

Do The Dew

May 23rd, 2019 15m 21s

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

The City of Peace

May 16th, 2019 26m 8s

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

A Practice for Moral Clarity

May 9th, 2019 22m 21s

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?

The Ring is Not Complete Without the Diamond

May 2nd, 2019 13m 49s

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 kno

Train Local, Act Global

Apr 25th, 2019 15m 23s

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

There’s More to Racism than Blackface. There’s More to Reconciliation than Resignation

Mar 14th, 2019 24m 56s

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? iTun

A Rabbi’s Lesson from Guatemala- All Lives Have Equal Value

Mar 7th, 2019 21m 16s

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

Soft Hearts, Strong Hands

Feb 28th, 2019 11m 39s

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, Spotif