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Jan 22, 2023, 1:55 AM

And Hashem Spoke to Moshe: Authentic vs Artificial Speech

I promise you this week’s drasha (sermon) was written by me and only me. I did not plagiarize this in any way. If you are wondering why I would make such a disclaimer, given that I almost always write...

Jan 15, 2023, 7:08 AM

Greatness: Flowing With or Against the Tide?

(Originally given as a sermon on January 14, Parashat Shemot) We read this morning about the famous beginnings of Moshe’s life. As the Torah describes, and as you would know if you ever watched Prince of Egypt, Paroh decrees that...

Jul 18, 2021, 7:04 AM

The Space Competition in Moshe’s Opening Words

Sir Richard Branson was the first private citizen to fund his own trip to space, and he accomplished his mission this week. Although he only reached the edge of space, his 50 mile high flight was nonetheless groundbreaking. Better...

May 23, 2021, 8:37 AM

Ahavat Yisrael in Challenging Times

Before I begin, my goal today is to think aloud a little bit through the prism of Torah. I do not believe that rabbis have all of the right solutions to the big problems of the world. But I...

Apr 27, 2021, 2:10 AM

Why I am a Modern Orthodox Rabbi

In a recent, thought-provoking article, Rav Efrem Goldberg declared that he is not a Modern Orthodox rabbi. Rabbi Goldberg admirably does not want to be boxed into a certain ideological camp, but would rather be part of a “post-ideological,...

Jan 15, 2021, 3:16 AM

Resolving to redeem: our responsibility to Uyghurs

Our shul book club recently discussed one of the seminal works of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l, To Heal a Fractured World. While we were only virtually in the same room, I could feel the inspiration during our discussion...

Oct 30, 2020, 9:45 AM

Lech Lecha: Lessons from Avram About the Election

Does the election matter anymore? I am sitting down to write a few hours after I cast my vote. I am sure that by the time Shabbat has begun, many of you have already cast yours. With that premise...

Oct 25, 2020, 4:04 AM

Parashat Noach: We Are Part of Humanity

A particularly treasured book I own is called Humans of New York. Despite being a heavy book, it is not a particularly heavy read. In fact, it involves just some short stories accompanied by pictures. The book grew out...

Apr 8, 2020, 8:11 PM

Reflections upon a delayed Daf Yomi Siyum Ha-Shas

Daf Yomi was my companion for the last eight years. “Rabbi Yehoshua ben Prachya says: Find yourself a teacher and acquire for yourself a friend” (Avot 1:6). Rashi explains this maxim in a way that greatly benefits bibliophiles: our friends are...

Mar 26, 2020, 4:43 PM

Fighting COVID-19 through Each Amidah Blessing

Every Rosh Ha-Shannah and Yom Kippur, we declare that three things can overturn an awful decree: repentance, prayer, and charity. While Rambam and Ramban famously disputed whether our thrice daily prayers constitute a mitzvah d’oraita (positive commandment), all would...

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About Me

Judah Kerbel is the rabbi of Queens Jewish Center and teaches middle school Judaic Studies at Yeshiva Har Torah. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and an MA in medieval Jewish history from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Rabbinical Council of America.