About the Author

Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith is the founding chief editor of Aish.com and senior lecturer at Aish HaTorah. He is the author of Shmooze: A Guide to Thought-Provoking Discussion on Essential Jewish Issues – a must-have little book for anyone who loves a good question, and the co-author of Rabbi Noah Weinberg’s 48 Ways to Wisdom and Wisdom for Living: Rabbi Noah Weinberg of the Parsha. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife and children.

The Ceasefire and Return of the Hostages

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

This fragile ceasefire carries our greatest hope—that every hostage will return, and our people will know peace.

On Being Aish'd

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

What is the secret of Aish HaTorah's success?

Preparing for War

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

While President Bush prepares America for war against the forces of evil, with the advent of Yom Kippur Jews are preparing for an additional war against an implacable foe.

The Gift of Israel

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Why I’m fortunate to be living in Israel.

When Jews Do Bad

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Is Donald Sterling’s racism worse because he’s a Jew?

Are you part of the 1% or the 99%?

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

How many donors does Aish.com have?

Our Brothers

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Seven snapshots from an intense week in Israel.

Apologies to the Jewish People

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Five apologies that Jews would rather hear than Gary Oldman’s.

8 Lessons from the War in Gaza

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Points of clarity uncovered by the war.

Saying Shema in Gaza

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

The Jewish prayer may have stopped a would-be suicide bomber who was Jewish.

Zara’s Holocaust Shirt

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

The fashion faux pas is offensive, but save your indignation and focus on more critical issues.

Life with Arabs in Jerusalem

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

The Har Nof massacre has stripped away the veneer of security, leaving us feeling vulnerable.

The Intermarriage Taboo

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

The growing rift within the Jewish people is making it almost impossible to discuss the issue of intermarriage.

Terror in Copenhagen

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Jews in Europe are once again targets, this time in Copenhagen.

Showers at Auschwitz

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Outrage or overreaction?

Yoram Raanan’s Art Studio Destroyed in the Fire

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

2000 original works of art by the incredibly talented painter went up in smoke.

Regarding Courtney Love’s Quote about Kurt Cobain

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Why did Aish.com post that offensive quote?

A Doctor's Life: A Tribute to My Brilliant Father

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Sitting shiva enabled me to appreciate my father's genuine greatness.

We All Want to Fly: Two Short Messages for My Kids

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

God is speaking to us all the time, if we just look for His messages.

Why the Menorah's Flame Encapsulates the Ideological Battle between the Greeks and the Jews

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Aristotle, Genesis and the underlying philosophy of Hanukkah.

God, Godot, and Man’s Search for Meaning

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

If life is merely a result of a random occurrence, what meaning could it ultimately have?

Israel At War: What You Can Do to Help Israel

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

The images are too horrific. The pain is too immense. The fear is too great. And confusion abounds. What can you do to help?

The Meaning of Hamas and My Son’s Bar Mitzvah

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

It’s no accident that the word “hamas” in Hebrew means violence and murder.

Thinking About the Roman Empire: A Jewish Edition

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

My answer to the question: What’s your Roman Empire?

Rosh Hashanah’s 4-Step Game Plan

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

The goal of Rosh Hashanah is to reveal God’s presence in the world. How do you do that?

Why You Make Bad Choices

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Choosing life isn’t so obvious. Here’s a practical tool just in time for Rosh Hashanah.

Who Created God, Mommy?

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

A six-year-old asked his mother the following question: If God created the universe, who created God? She turned to me for an answer.

Elul: Love Has Everything to Do with It

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

How to prepare for the High Holidays without the guilt.

Why Can’t Orthodox Jews Be Normal Like Everyone Else?

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Why do they perform strange commandments that make them look so different?

When I Decided to Take God and Religion Seriously

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

I ignored God more out of ignorance and apathy than informed choice.

Rudy Giuliani, Jews Are Not Getting Over It

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

The Jewish People aren’t living in the past; they’re creating the future.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Future of the Jewish People

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Which team are you rooting for? Why?

The Coronation of King Charles III

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

What’s up with that anointing oil?

Is It Wrong for Non-Jewish Actors to Play Jewish Roles?

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Jewface is overblown. The primary consideration in casting should be believability, not race, color, orientation or religion.

The Ambulance, the Snake, and My Son (It’s Not What You Think)

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

We may not feel it now, but ultimately everything God does is for the good. Try telling that to a 12-year-old.

God, Are You There?

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

How to feel that God is an active part of your life.

Morality: Who Needs God?

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

A look at relative and objective morality, and where God fits into the picture.

When a Black, Non-Jewish Woman Visited a Jewish Website

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Dave Chappelle’s Pernicious Antisemitism

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

The comedian is far too smart to be as crude as Kanye, and that’s what makes his offensive jokes more damaging and dangerous.

The Gifts of the Jews: Revolutionary Jewish Ideas that Formed the Bedrock of Western Civilization

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Fascinating insights from bestselling author, Thomas Cahill, who passed away this week.

10 Questions to Ask Yourself This Rosh Hashanah

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Questions to help you reconnect to your life’s purpose, clarify your goals, and passionately embrace this upcoming new year.

How Do You Know You Have Free Will?

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Free will is a pillar of Judaism. Here are three approaches to know that you have agency.

5 Ways to Jumpstart Your Personal Growth

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

This is the best time of year to shake things up.

I’m Sorry to Inform You

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Overwhelmed with the news of four deaths in one week.

Will Smith’s Smack Heard Around the World

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

My three takeaways from the shocking incident.

How to Maintain Your Connection with a Deceased Parent

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

How can I “give” something to my father who is no longer alive?

Growth through Adversity: God is the Ultimate Coach

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Choose life. Because the alternative is death.

Decoding Suffering: Judaism’s First Answer to “Why Me?”

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

What if hardship wasn’t random but a hand-written message from God? Discover Judaism’s first approach to deciphering life’s struggles, and how suffering can become a doorway to deeper meaning and growth.