Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

Eikev: Why did the rebbe ask for a cigar?

The Rebbe didn't even smoke.

Seven weeks of consolation!

Three weeks of sadness requires seven weeks of consolation. That’s the period of the calendar that we are in right now.

Tisha b’Av: A good leader gives us hope

Although the nation is facing numerous challenges, Moshe gives them hope, and what a wonderful message that is for all of us.

Matot Massei: What difference does it make where we live?

Our environment sets a tone for our lives.

Britain's Chief Rabbi receives his Knighthood

Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis recognized by King Charles III for his services to the Jewish community and interfaith relations and education.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Pinchas: What would it be like without you?

To what degree will we be missed when we’re not there?

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Korach (Diaspora): Humour can be dangerous!

Humour is wonderful, but humour can also be dangerous.

Shlach Lecha (Diaspora): How not to use the Torah

You might have somebody who has been schooled in the ways of the Torah, but doesn’t want to translate their knowledge into action.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Behaalotecha (Diaspora):“I was filled with dread and panicked.”

We should never forget that whatever it is we’re doing or saying in life, it’s never totally off the record, because the mic is always on.

UK chief rabbi praises Scottish Jewish-Christian joint glossary

Document seeks to explain Judaism and connection to Israel to Christians who are members of the Church of Scotland.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

"Jerusalem” does not appear in the Torah – why?

For Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem's Liberation Day.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Bechukotai: A challenge for Shavuot this year

Why not go for it? Why not engage with Torah?

'An extraordinary Shabbat!'

Britain's Chief Rabbi reflects on coronation of King Charles

Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis: What a privilege it was for me to be in attendance for the coronation of our King.

King Charles III crowned

'Monarch cherishes his warm relationship with British Jews'

King Charles III's formal coronation took place this Saturday. Israeli and Jewish leaders share their blessings.

What do the Coronation and Parshat Emor have in common?

From the moment we’re born, whether we like it or not, we’re all living in a fishbowl – people are noticing us.

Acharei Mot: Sometimes exceptions are unacceptable

One cannot pick and choose mitzvot.

A call for Jewish Unity

Israel was created only 3 years after six million innocent Jews were brutally murdered. Let that memory bring us together.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

What is special about the number 8?

Dvar Torah for Parashat Shemini: This week the Chief Rabbi explains the hidden depth of numbers in Jewish teaching.

Why do we say "next year in Jerusalem" at the Seder?

Jerusalem is not just a place of happiness, it’s a place of elation.

Starting in the middle

Through all of our future actions, may we indeed produce a great Kiddush Hashem.

Amid justice reform division:

UK Chief Rabbi calls for Jewish unity

Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, called Jewish unity a 'sacred responsibility' for all.

The Chofetz Chaim and a man who kept his factory open on Shabbat

“I can't afford it. If I close my factory on Shabbat, I will lose 4000 rubles each time," he said, but the Chofetz Chaim had the answer.

German Jewish soccer star murdered in Auschwitz honored

UK ceremony led by Chief Rabbi Mirvis commemorates Julius Hirsch and other Jewish soccer players killed in Auschwitz.

Why is the Book of Esther included in Tanach?

The answer is particularly apt for our times.

Terumah: The most extraordinary custom I’ve ever heard of!

A practice of the hassidim of Medieval France - what it is and what it signifies.

Beshalach: If not for them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

We need to show more respect to parents and grandparents.

Bo: It’s not just the thought that counts!

The Aramaic translation of Onkelos, translates totafot as tefillin, in the plural. Why?

How you can be as great as Moshe

Read what Rabbi Moshe Feinstein says about comparing the greatness of Moshe and Aharon.

Vayechi: Our most precious communal organisations!

‘Chessed v’emet’ is the slogan of every single Chevra Kadisha organisation in the world. Read below to understand why.

'Historic for Anglo Jewry:'

UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis receives Knighthood

Rabbi Mirvis knighted by King Charles as Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to interfaith dialogue, education.

"I am Joseph - is my father still alive?"

22 years are encapsulated in those first few words.

To be ‘shomer mitzvot’ does not mean to keep mitzvot!

To be ‘oseh mitzvot’ of course means to fulfil the mitzvot, but from here we learn a very relevant and important lesson for us today.

What is the best way to describe God?

Whose G-d is He? How can we know?

Britain:

Chief Rabbi to attend closing of 60-year-old Wembley Synagogue

London congregation moving to smaller venue due to dwindling numbers after six decades.

Vayetse: You can only win the lottery if you buy a ticket

“Open for me just the space of the eye of a needle and I will expand that to be the space of an entire hall.”

Are good deeds valid even when we don’t intend to perform them?

How much do we need to concentrate when performing a mitzva?

Chayei Sarah: How can anyone have two lives on earth?

Words repeated, but not redundant. How is that if the Torah gives importance to every word?

Vayeira: What will we become the parent of?

What do we mean when we refer to Avraham as being Avraham Avinu, Abraham our father?

How Britain's Chief Rabbi will join a coronation on a Saturday

King Charles is expected to be crowned on a Saturday, leading to special accommodations to allow England's Chief Rabbi to participate.

UK Chief Rabbi to stay with King Charles night before coronation

Chief Rabbi Mirvis and his wife will stay in royal residence so they can walk to coronation which falls on a Saturday.

Bereishith: Why the world is built and preserved with 7 and 28

Three places in the Torah and prayer with the same number of words and letters cannot be coincidental.

Sukkot: So many festivals in just a few weeks!

This month is packed with major festivals, but we need them all.

Is Rosh Hashanah on the wrong day?

The answer depends on which anniversary the holiday is meant to recognize.

Palace moves King Charles event to avoid conflict with Shabbat

Rescheduled meeting allows Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis to attend meeting with new king with enough time to return to synagogue for Shabbat.

Ki Tavo: The legacy of HM The Queen

We have a responsibility, mindful of the extraordinary role model the Queen was, to be selfless, committed, dedicated in service of others.

'I am for my beloved'

Three mnemonics filled with messages for the word Elul.

How not to confuse your children

A holistic approach to Jewish education combines both home and schoool, one enhancing the other.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Pinchas (Diaspora):Great leaders care about their flock

The mark of a true leader is somebody who is there in the interests of those who they are serving.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Who has the most important role in our synagogue services?

if you want to find out how important something is, the best way is to do without it for some time and then you’ll really appreciate it.

A post-pandemic lesson from Parshat Behaalotecha

Why the Torah praise Aaron for listening to G-d's command? Would we expect anything else?

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Naso: A sin against a person is a sin against God

Sins between you and your fellow man are doubly harmful.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Connecting Shavuot and Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

There is surely a message in the juxtaposition of the two events.

Bechukotai: We must appreciate community Rabbis and Rebbetzens.

Putting a comma in a different place in a verse in the Parasha changes the whole meaning of the verse.

Emor-Shabbat UK: A journey beyond Shabbat UK

After a Covid-caused lapse of two years, we finally have ShabbatUK! It’s going to be an exceptionally special Shabbat.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Acharei Mot (Diaspora): The Torah’s travel insurance

When we represent another perrson while doing something, who bears ultimate responsibility for those deeds?

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Pesach: Are you thirsty without knowing it?

How do you enable a person to come and partake of the Pesach experience if they have no desire; if they feel no need, no thirst?

The Torah’s 30-day renewal programme

How long does it take to form a habit, and how do we know when it's time to renew? The Sfat Emet finds this in the secrets of the moon.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Shmini: The most important ingredient for great leadership

At the crucial moment, the nation's spiritual leader holds back from approaching the altar. What was holding him back?

UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis tests positive for COVID

Chief Rabbi Mirvis is reportedly feeling well but is waiting for the results of a PCR test.

Office of the UK Chief Rabbi

Tzav: The beauty of compromise

"Zot torat Haolah" is a verse telling you about a certain kind of person. Are you that person?