Rabbi Yonason Johnson

Singing the Song of Salvation:

A 2700 year-old lesson for our times

Remember the miiracle in the days of King Hezekiah on Pesach and the joy it engendered.

The real difficulty in earning a living

How hard is it to earn a living? As hard as building a marriage?

Challenging Hashem in the face of suffering

We cry out to the Heavens “Ad Motai", how much longer do we have to suffer in Exile, why does evil continue to befall us and why have you not saved and redeemed Your people?

Shemot:

Do you stand up for people who are being wronged?

Our sages teach that public embarrassment is akin to bloodshed, yet it is far easier to ignore it, to go about our business and pretend nothing happened. We think why should I get involved and put myself at risk?

A call to Australia's gov't:

Looking for leadership in times of crisis

Why was Yehuda chosen to lead? For many reasons, but first and foremost, a leader has to be able to stand up and jump into action to tackle threats, without consideration of the fallout or personal risk.

An Australian rabbi writes on Mikeitz:

How the Australian government can regain the trust of its Jews

Someone asked me if there is any way that we can forgive the Australian government and what it would take for them to regain trust of Australian Jewry. So, let’s talk about Yosef.

Soldiers on the front lines of antisemitism:

Lest we forget - the 18th yahrzeit of Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg

A reflection on the 18th anniversary of the Mumbai terrorist attack and the Yartzheit of Gavriel Noach and Rivka Holtzberg הי“ד. In memoria

Mr Albanese, see I have placed before you today, good and evil

Deep down in our souls, the source of our moral consciousness, we will always know what is truly right. We can relate this Torah message to current events and politics in Australia.

Parashat Balak:

To lie down like a lion, with nothing to fear...

Living a 3,300 year-old prophesy in our times, hoping the second part comes to pass as well.

Parashat Shmini:

It has split hooves but what lies beneath?

“Chazer Treif” is a Yiddish expression that describes something which is absolutely and completely non-kosher. The use of this description goes well beyond the kitchen...

Shabbat Parshat Hachodesh:

The month of transformation and unity

Based on the teachings of Israel's first Chief Rabbi and Founder of Merkaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Rav Avraham Yitschak HaCohen Kook zts"l.

A post Shabbat Zachor reminder:

Hamas = Amalek. Don't let anyone forget it

For many, including our politicians and leaders, with the passage of time, the priority of destroying Hamas seems to have become weaker. Parshat Zachor commands us not to let that happen.

Parashat Shekalim:

How to apologise to your spouse - a lesson from a broken coin

A half which completes and is completed by the other achieves a far deeper level of “wholeness” than ever before.

'See the difference between these and these'

The words of our Matriarch Leah resonate so clearly, when we look at the Bibas tragedy and the laws concerning an enemy's donkey according to the Torah.

Faith and belief in the Jewish People

A lesson from Moshe's lapse.

Is it blessed to be like a fish?

We specifically bless our children to be like Ephraim and Menashe and we bless them with the words of Hamalach Hagoel Oti, that they too be like fish.

Perceived reality and the true reality - Bitachon is the key

“Hashem Yisbarach always loves me and everything will always only be good for me… more good and even more good.”

The darkness of Yavan lives on for us to overcome with light

Like the Hashmoneans, we have to stand steadfast against the ideology of Yavan as seen in the UN, ICC and academia. With courage, conviction and Jewish pride, we must expose the darkness for what it is.

Toldot:

A lesson from Yitzchak’s love for his rebellious son

Loving each child unconditionally is a basic tenet of parenthood.

A symbol of unity, harmony and inclusivity

The rainbow is a symbol of love and unity. Just as the diversity of colour is what gives the rainbow its beauty, so it is with our diversity as a people.

Shemini Atzeret

One year on -- the lesson of the Day of Unity

As Jews, we don't commemorate events based on the date in the secular calendar. Birthdays and Yartzheits, significant events and Festivals, both joyous and sad, are observed according to the Jewish date.

No leader is perfect, But the alternative is far worse

When the Torah forbids our "cursing the leader of the nation" it does not mean they are perfect. it means that we have to let the government function even if we disagree with it.

Re'eh:

Yearning for the Temple Mount and searching for it

Parshas Re’eh is the Shabbos that blesses the month of Elul. The sublime revelation of the Yomim Noraim is like being in the presence of Hashem in the Beis Hamikdash.

Matot-Masei:

United - east and west of the river

Menashe did not ask to settle on the eastern bank, why were they included in those who settled there? And why only half the tribe?

Pinchas: When the only path to peace is through the spear

Pinchas understood that fighting to eradicate evil is the only path to real and lasting peace and security.

A timely message for Shavuos 5784

Celebrating the rescue of our hostages showed the wondrous unity of our people proclaiming the Oneness of Hashem who we thanked.

Esau and the "kiss" of antisemitism

Rashbi tells us that the hatred of Esav to Yaakov is a Halakha, so don't try to figure out why, don't try to appease, just be a proud Jew.

How to respond to today's Lavan

Responding to our enemies and 'world opinion' - a timely insight from the parasha.

One day the world will thank us for fighting evil

Lessons from Parshas Lech Lecha in how to respond to the Hamas massacre of our people.