March 4, 2024
Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at March 4, 2024
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Accusation of the Brothers

The second of the confrontations between Yosef and his brothers has been given much less thought than the original dramatic, ויגש אליו יהודה. It is however much more depressing. Here, the brothers have lived together for a number of years and once their father dies they are immediately concerned that […]
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March 3, 2024
Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at March 3, 2024
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Chanukah

Few episodes in Tanach stand as models of terrible events that will befall the Jewish people throughout their history. In brutal fashion brothers, flesh and blood, gathered together and plotted to murder and then eventually settled on selling one of their own. Tragic in its own right, the episode will […]
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November 6, 2023
Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at November 6, 2023
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Avraham Woke Up Early: a model of compassion

Jews have always responded to tragedy and triumph in similar ways, namely, understanding the events through a halachic prism. The recent war has resulted in the reproduction of halachic literature not seen in some time either condemning or praising the Israeli army’s careful consideration of the targets it picks in […]
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October 13, 2023
Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at October 13, 2023
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Shmini Atzeret

Today we face a halachic crisis. Over the Yamim Noraim our task was clear, we had reached the pinnacle point of spirituality and were devoting a day exclusively to bonding with Hashem. Over Sukkot, we knew what we needed to do. As we discussed, our goal then was to allow […]
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October 3, 2023
Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at October 3, 2023
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Yom Kippur: Remembering Why

נעילה Now is the time. Over the last month we have spent a significant amount of time preparing for this final moment. We have reached the climax of the יום כיפור service. We fasted all day, prayed all day in preparation for the last תפילה we will now say together […]
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October 3, 2023
Published by Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD at October 3, 2023
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The Prayer of Rosh Hashana

Tfilat Hannah: A Model of Thanksgiving I’ve always been struck by the profound impact of a particular prayer on Rosh Hashanah, one that we don’t actually recite ourselves but rather find in the haftarah portion – the prayer of Hannah, תפלת חנה. Hannah’s story is a testament to unwavering faith […]
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