Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD, Author at Fleetwood Synagogue

May 20, 2024

Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at May 20, 2024

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Complex Emotions During Sefirat HaOmer

There is a way of understanding the mourning of Sefirat HaOmer that resonates with me. Rabbi Akiva’s students died from the end of Pesach until Lag BaOmer, and on Lag BaOmer, they stopped dying, which is why we celebrate. This is based on the Derashot of Ri Ibn Shuib, who […]

May 20, 2024

Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at May 20, 2024

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Yizkor: Coming Together in Mourning

Last night at 2 a.m., my daughter Tova woke me up, tears streaming down her face. She was terrified, convinced that animals were coming to get her. I held her hand and asked where the animals were coming from. She said they were coming through the front door. Together, we […]

May 20, 2024

Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at May 20, 2024

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The Merit that Saved Us From The Sea

The miracle of the parting of the Red Sea was indeed a remarkable event. The Torah highlights that the Jews were walking ביבשה בתוך הים, on dry land within the sea. Some Rishonim note that as the Jews were crossing, the sea began to revert to its natural state even […]

May 20, 2024

Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at May 20, 2024

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The Celebration of Seder Night

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reflecting on the unique way we celebrate Pesach. On Purim, we celebrate our deliverance from those who sought to annihilate us. On Chanukah, we celebrate our religious freedom, allowing us to serve God without Greek interference. Both of these holidays commemorate victories achieved […]

May 20, 2024

Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at May 20, 2024

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Maintaining Enthusiasm

I feel compelled to start with a brief digression. I missed you all last week, and my children especially missed being in shul the past few weeks. Nowhere else have we found a place where kids gather around the Bimah during Kiryat HaTorah or come up together to sing. Where […]

March 25, 2024

Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at March 25, 2024

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Moshe the Individual; Esther the Leader

No where else is a four and a half letter word asked to accomplish so much. The first word of the third sefer of Chummush is ויקרא, with a small א. Midrashim followed by the Rishonim offer a number of insights into both the reasoning for the little א and […]

March 22, 2024

Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at March 22, 2024

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Taanit Esther Message

How can we celebrate Purim while our people are engaged in war in Israel and we face anti-Semitism around the world?

March 4, 2024

Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at March 4, 2024

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A Note on Shomer Shabbas Residency

There is much discussion regarding the attitude religious medical students should have when considering ranking shomer shabbas residencies. There are two components to keeping shabbas. One is the prohibition from doing certain actions (basically, the 39 melachos) and two is the obligation to celebrate shabbas (rest, make kiddush, not fast […]

March 4, 2024

Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at March 4, 2024

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The Evolution of God’s Presence

Allow me to engage your creative side for a few moments. Come, join me, as we picture the magnificence of the Beit HaMikdash. Lets assume it is Erev Pesach. We travel together from distant lands to come eat the Karbon Pesach in Yerushalyim. After long travels, we finally reach the […]