Office of the UK Chief Rabbi
Leadership that lasts
D’var Torah for Parshat Beshalach.
D’var Torah for Parshat Beshalach.
In the face of wickedness, there is no room for patience.
Asarah B’Tevet was the original cause—the first event that, had a domino effect, setting many other tragic events in motion. (See selected Halakhot for this year's fast, that falls on a Friday, at end)
D’var Torah for Parshat Vayigash.
If you want to solve a problem, you need to have the facts, whether they are needed to solve Pharaoh's dreams or the was in Gaza and Lebanon.
British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis criticizes London police for failing to ensure that a Saturday protest planned for next month will not target local synagogues.
Parashat Vayeishev portrays the dilemma of Jacob and his rival sons.
A person’s l.egacy is not confined to a physical marker
Our dream, right now, is “Beshuv Hashem et-shivat Tziyyon” — “May Hashem enable the captives of Zion to come home.”
What is your most favourite outfit of clothing? For what special occasion did you wear it?
So what was this all about?
There is a message in the meanings of two Hebrew words in this week's Torah reading.
D’var Torah ahead of midnight Selichot,
Yesterday's parsha has a message that will get us throught these challenging times.
Why a dual imperative?
Through just walking into our homes and looking at the mezuzah, we are reminded of the importance of compromise.
Should we take water to people, or should we wait for them to come and ask for it?
The source for this is a passage of the Torah we all know by heart.
The Bracha that Moshe Rabbeinu gives to the Jewish people over all ages is found in this parasha.
People will most likely be influenced by you, if they know that you love them.
What was at the root of this machloket, this conflict?
D’var Torah for Parshat Shelach Lecha.
A true leader is somebody who guarantees that the community doesn’t only feel the presence of Hashem in Shul, in the sanctuary, but wherever we are. And there is another key feature.
Please Hashem protect the State of Israel from those with cruel intent, who seek to destroy Her.
D’var Torah for Parshat Bechukotai.
D’var Torah for Parshat Emor
So often, we feel that the only predictable element of what’s happening in the world is its unpredictability.
The Rambam tells us that the mitzvah of kiddush Hashem is the mitzvah of ‘Kol beit Yisrael’,
A series of readings to choose from for your Seder table, offering an opportunity to highlight important themes for Israel and the Jewish people in these challenging times.
From the month of Nisan, we are taught that it is not just during times of sorrow that we should empathise with others, it is also when they are happy.
In pre-computer times, the scribes knew how many words and how many letters there were in the entire Torah.
What it says on the tin should be what you find within it.
From the entrance to Kibbutz Be’eri in southern Israel, a message for Shabbat Shalom.
Did you know that this Friday and Shabbat there are some minor festivals on the Jewish calendar?
The longest single word palindrome is ‘Venatnu’, in the book of Shemot. What does it symbolize?
The prayer beseeches G-d to prolong the King's days, 'so that he may continue to rule over our nation in good health and happiness.'
What extraordinary faith brought the women to take musical instruments with them to the desert!
Fire and water intertwined - so can we.
There is a phenomenon associated with the current tragic war, which we must preserve well beyond it.
This profound and extraordinary statement is recorded in the Gemara.
This week, the Chief Rabbi identifies the crucial ingredient for Jewish survival over thousands of years.
The Chief Rabbi writes that there are no unscathed winners in a war, but that sometimes they must be fought.
Just when life for the Jewish people is intolerable, that’s when Hashem can bring our Yeshua, he can bring our salvation.
The contribution to the Jewish people is being made by so many whose names we do not know.
During the current tragic war in Israel, I have been so inspired by the actions, by the practical elements of what so many people are doing.
The Chief Rabbi addressing thousands of people gathered in Trafalgar Square to call for the release of hostages taken by Hamas.
Lessons from the head of World Mizrachi who married off one son last week while another son was still missing in action.
The United Synagogue, The Office of the Chief Rabbi and the Rabbinic Council of the United Synagogue held an evening of prayer.
The value of the day is not what happens on that day, but the impact of that day and the days, months and years that follow.
What’s the difference between hope and ‘good’ hope? Surely all hope is good?
There are two great barriers to teshuva. They are surmountable.
Time and time again people have said that the Jews themselves cause antisemitism. Do they?
What the line "have hope in Hashem" in the last verse of the psalm we say during this period means.
Never forget this great lesson of the Torah – “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” – “Justice, justice you shall pursue.
The Talmud tells us three ways to assess character. The three festivals show how this works.
The Rebbe didn't even smoke.
Three weeks of sadness requires seven weeks of consolation. That’s the period of the calendar that we are in right now.
Although the nation is facing numerous challenges, Moshe gives them hope, and what a wonderful message that is for all of us.
Our environment sets a tone for our lives.
Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis recognized by King Charles III for his services to the Jewish community and interfaith relations and education.