About the Author

Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith lives in Jerusalem with his wife and children. He is the chief editor of Aish.com, one of the world's largest Judaism websites. 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.

The Meaning of Rosh Hashanah and How to Prepare for the Big Day

The Meaning of Rosh Hashanah and How to Prepare for the Big Day

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A 20-minute in-depth exploration on the judgment of Rosh Hashanah and why it comes before Yom Kippur.

An Open Letter to Aish.com Readers from the Chief Editor of Aish.com

Chief Editor's Blog

An Open Letter to Aish.com Readers from the Chief Editor of Aish.com

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The world needs Aish.com's innovation and insights more than ever.

Rabbi Noah Weinberg’s 7 Daily Questions

Rabbi Noah Weinberg’s 7 Daily Questions

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In honor of Rabbi Weinberg’s 10th yahrzeit, spend some time answering the following 7 questions.

Yom Kippur: We Can Change

Yom Kippur: We Can Change

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Judaism's 5 steps to cleaning your slate.

Chris Pratt’s MTV Sermon

Chief Editor's Blog

Chris Pratt’s MTV Sermon

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I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The rowdy audience of millennials burst into applause when he stated, "God is real. God loves you. Believe that, I do."

Regarding Courtney Love’s Quote about Kurt Cobain

Chief Editor's Blog

Regarding Courtney Love’s Quote about Kurt Cobain

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Why did Aish.com post that offensive quote?

At My Grandson’s Bris: Hanukkah, Self-Sacrifice and the Infinite

Chief Editor's Blog

At My Grandson’s Bris: Hanukkah, Self-Sacrifice and the Infinite

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The mohel instructed me to hold the baby’s legs tight, thrusting me into the reality of what was unfolding.

Our Son’s Special Bar Mitzvah

Chief Editor's Blog

Our Son’s Special Bar Mitzvah

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One milestone day encapsulated the highs and lows of raising a child with Down's syndrome.

Natalie Portman's Christmas Tree

Chief Editor's Blog

Natalie Portman's Christmas Tree

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The actress's desire for a Christmas tree isn't trivial. It represents the contemporary Jew's struggle to hold onto her Jewish identity.

France and Aborting Fetuses with Downs Syndrome

Chief Editor's Blog

France and Aborting Fetuses with Downs Syndrome

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Prenatal genetic testing is eliminating babies who would otherwise be born with Down syndrome. France wants to keep it that way.

Yoram Raanan’s Art Studio Destroyed in the Fire

Chief Editor's Blog

Yoram Raanan’s Art Studio Destroyed in the Fire

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

My Broken Laptop

Chief Editor's Blog

My Broken Laptop

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To fix or not to fix? A too-good-to-be-true story for Elul.

Irreversible Damage

Chief Editor's Blog

Irreversible Damage

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A miraculous true story demonstrates the power of prayer and reminds us never to give up hope.

The Miracle of Aish.com

Chief Editor's Blog

The Miracle of Aish.com

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24 hours. $1,000,000. It's all or nothing.

Aish HaTorah Rabbi Murdered in Terrorist Attack

Chief Editor's Blog

Aish HaTorah Rabbi Murdered in Terrorist Attack

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Rabbi Reuven Biermacher loved every Jew and radiated a fervent passion for Torah.

The Unveiling

Chief Editor's Blog

The Unveiling

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I went to Toronto expecting to confront my mother's death more deeply; I encountered instead my father's remarkable dedication to life.

Infographic: Yom Kippur: We Can Change

Infographic

Infographic: Yom Kippur: We Can Change

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Uproot the poor decisions from your past by utilizing Judaism’s steps of repentance.

Showers at Auschwitz

Chief Editor's Blog

Showers at Auschwitz

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Outrage or overreaction?

Shiva and Sheloshim: Personal Reflections

Chief Editor's Blog

Shiva and Sheloshim: Personal Reflections

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How the Jewish mourning laws counteract the upheaval left in death’s wake.

Saying Goodbye to Mom

Chief Editor's Blog

Saying Goodbye to Mom

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My mother was a strong, opinionated dynamo. How could she be gone, just like that?

Terror in Copenhagen

Chief Editor's Blog

Terror in Copenhagen

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

The Intermarriage Taboo

Chief Editor's Blog

The Intermarriage Taboo

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

Life with Arabs in Jerusalem

Chief Editor's Blog

Life with Arabs in Jerusalem

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

People Can Change

Chief Editor's Blog

People Can Change

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How to access the transformational power of Yom Kippur.

Facing God on Rosh Hashanah

Chief Editor's Blog

Facing God on Rosh Hashanah

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Three ways to prepare for your personal judgment day.

Zara’s Holocaust Shirt

Chief Editor's Blog

Zara’s Holocaust Shirt

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

Beheading James Foley

Chief Editor's Blog

Beheading James Foley

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How can I be of the same species as the person who saws off a man's head with a 6-inch knife?

Saying Shema in Gaza

Chief Editor's Blog

Saying Shema in Gaza

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

8 Lessons from the War in Gaza

Chief Editor's Blog

8 Lessons from the War in Gaza

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Points of clarity uncovered by the war.

Dear Me

Chief Editor's Blog

Dear Me

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Advice to my younger self.

10 Reasons Why We Need the Messiah Right Now

Chief Editor's Blog

10 Reasons Why We Need the Messiah Right Now

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With outrageous levels of insanity overtaking the world, we need him now more than ever.

5 Surprising Facts about Judaism

Chief Editor's Blog

5 Surprising Facts about Judaism

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Including you don’t need to be Jewish to get to Heaven.

5 Reasons to Stand with Israel

Chief Editor's Blog

5 Reasons to Stand with Israel

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As we condemn Mohammed Abu Khdeir's murder, let's not lose sight of the big picture.

Could You Ignore a Holocaust?

Chief Editor's Blog

Could You Ignore a Holocaust?

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Without this quality, it's likely you would. With it, we can remain united.

A Horrific Murder

Chief Editor's Blog

A Horrific Murder

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Let us hope that 16-year-old Mohammad Abu Khdeir was not killed by a Jew.

Apologies to the Jewish People

Chief Editor's Blog

Apologies to the Jewish People

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

Our Brothers

Chief Editor's Blog

Our Brothers

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Seven snapshots from an intense week in Israel.

Cardinal O’Connor Was a Jew

Chief Editor's Blog

Cardinal O’Connor Was a Jew

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Does it really matter?

10 Things to Love about Being Jewish

Chief Editor's Blog

10 Things to Love about Being Jewish

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Take a moment to appreciate this most precious gift.

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

Chief Editor's Blog

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

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How many donors does Aish.com have?

6 Mistakes I’m Making as a Father

Chief Editor's Blog

6 Mistakes I’m Making as a Father

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My kids could tell you more but these are the primary issues I confront on a daily basis.

A Billion People Hate Me

Chief Editor's Blog

A Billion People Hate Me

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Should the ADL global study on anti-Semitism be cause for alarm?

What Was Aish.com Thinking?

Chief Editor's Blog

What Was Aish.com Thinking?

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Readers want to know: Why did Aish.com post Tal Fortgang’s article, “Checking My Privilege”?

When Jews Do Bad

Chief Editor's Blog

When Jews Do Bad

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

The Gift of Israel

Chief Editor's Blog

The Gift of Israel

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Why I’m fortunate to be living in Israel.

Climbing the Ladder

Climbing the Ladder

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Is life really fair?

Editors' Blog: My Tisha B'Av Fantasy

Editors' Blog: My Tisha B'Av Fantasy

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Imagine taking Ahmadinejad to the Third Temple that just descended on Jerusalem.

Shocked into Silence

Shocked into Silence

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Responding to the horrific murder of Leiby Kletzky.

4 Misconceptions Jews Have About Judaism

4 Misconceptions Jews Have About Judaism

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Exploring Judaism can mean un-learning mistaken ideas, as much as it means learning new ones.

Raising Yehuda

Raising Yehuda

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Becoming parents of a baby with Down's syndrome has forced us to reconsider our views on parenting and what it means to lead a meaningful life.

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