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.

Want to Understand What It Takes to be a Great Jewish Leader? Learn from Rabbi Noah Weinberg

Chief Editor's Blog

Want to Understand What It Takes to be a Great Jewish Leader? Learn from Rabbi Noah Weinberg

by

The six ways he changed my life can serve as a blueprint.

Where’s the Empathy? On Punching a Flight Attendant in the Face

Chief Editor's Blog

Where’s the Empathy? On Punching a Flight Attendant in the Face

by

Unchecked, we tend to be self-centered, lazy and mean-spirited. Empathy doesn’t come naturally; it needs to be chosen.

From Robot to Human Being: Activating Your Free Will

Chief Editor's Blog

From Robot to Human Being: Activating Your Free Will

by

Your life’s starting point doesn’t define you; your choices do.

Chief Editor's Blog

"Welcome to Holland" and the Cosmic Travel Agent

by

Having a special needs child has been compared to planning a vacation to Italy and somehow landing in Holland. What happens if you're too distraught to leave the plane?

Thanking God for Not Getting Shot

Chief Editor's Blog

Thanking God for Not Getting Shot

by

Taking things for granted is one of the biggest – and most common – mistakes we make in our relationships. What can we do about it?

Can You Have Your Fake Pork and Eat It Too?

Chief Editor's Blog

Can You Have Your Fake Pork and Eat It Too?

by

Should we be disgusted by the idea of eating imitation pork?

My DIY Project and Our Fierce Drive for Independence

Chief Editor's Blog

My DIY Project and Our Fierce Drive for Independence

by

Why do we derive greater satisfaction when exert our independence and do it ourselves?

Why Believing in God Should Make You More Kind

Chief Editor's Blog

Why Believing in God Should Make You More Kind

by

The most concrete way we can connect to God is treating each other with kindness. The rest is commentary. Go learn.

Why God Matters: What Gives Life Meaning?

Chief Editor's Blog

Why God Matters: What Gives Life Meaning?

by

Whether you believe in God or not, we all need to wrestle with the question: Is there meaning in life?

The Man who Joined the Search Party Looking for Himself

Chief Editor's Blog

The Man who Joined the Search Party Looking for Himself

by

Muster the courage to examine the only place we can truly find who we are looking for – inside ourselves.

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

Chief Editor's Blog

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

by

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

Rosh Hashanah: It's Not about Who's Been Naughty or Nice

Chief Editor's Blog

Rosh Hashanah: It's Not about Who's Been Naughty or Nice

by

Like a CEO of a major conglomerate, God is setting the budgets and determining each person's role, based on the level of responsibility we are ready to take.

Saying Goodbye to My Dying Father

Chief Editor's Blog

Saying Goodbye to My Dying Father

by

Don't wait to say the things you've always wanted to say to those you love.

The Collapse of Afghanistan: What Does It Mean to be Truly Free?

Chief Editor's Blog

The Collapse of Afghanistan: What Does It Mean to be Truly Free?

by

No matter how much money, power and resources are poured in, freedom and peace cannot be imposed by outside forces. It must come from within.

My Battle with the Bulge: Four Key Takeaways on How to Change

Chief Editor's Blog

My Battle with the Bulge: Four Key Takeaways on How to Change

by

How to increase the odds of success in your spiritual growth.

I'm Getting Too Fat and It's Time to Start Running Again

Chief Editor's Blog

I'm Getting Too Fat and It's Time to Start Running Again

by

Why running is an ideal way for me to get into spiritual – and physical – shape.

Bruce Springsteen and Me

Chief Editor's Blog

Bruce Springsteen and Me

by

Springsteen helped me get through my angst-filled years as a teen.

Five Ways to Inject Some Life into Your Judaism

Chief Editor's Blog

Five Ways to Inject Some Life into Your Judaism

by

How to shake off the dust and find meaning in your relationship to Judaism.

Being Jewish: Why Bother?

Chief Editor's Blog

Being Jewish: Why Bother?

by

Antisemitism is forcing many young Jews to ask: Why is being Jewish worth it? And that's a good thing.

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

Chief Editor's Blog

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

by

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

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

Judaism's 5 steps to cleaning your slate.

Chris Pratt’s MTV Sermon

Chief Editor's Blog

Chris Pratt’s MTV Sermon

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

My Broken Laptop

Chief Editor's Blog

My Broken Laptop

by

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

Irreversible Damage

Chief Editor's Blog

Irreversible Damage

by

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

by

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

by

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

The Unveiling

Chief Editor's Blog

The Unveiling

by

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

by

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

Showers at Auschwitz

Chief Editor's Blog

Showers at Auschwitz

by

Outrage or overreaction?

Shiva and Sheloshim: Personal Reflections

Chief Editor's Blog

Shiva and Sheloshim: Personal Reflections

by

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

by

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

by

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

The Intermarriage Taboo

Chief Editor's Blog

The Intermarriage Taboo

by

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

by

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

by

How to access the transformational power of Yom Kippur.

Facing God on Rosh Hashanah

Chief Editor's Blog

Facing God on Rosh Hashanah

by

Three ways to prepare for your personal judgment day.

Zara’s Holocaust Shirt

Chief Editor's Blog

Zara’s Holocaust Shirt

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

Points of clarity uncovered by the war.

Dear Me

Chief Editor's Blog

Dear Me

by

Advice to my younger self.

Most Popular at aish.com

The Texas Synagogue Attack

The Texas Synagogue Attack

 
Kabbalistic Tu B'shvat Seder

Kabbalistic Tu B'shvat Seder

 
Sidney Poitier and the Jewish Waiter who Taught Him How to Read

Sidney Poitier and the Jewish Waiter who Taught Him How to Read

 
Growing Up Catholic and My Grandmother’s Hidden Past

Growing Up Catholic and My Grandmother’s Hidden Past

 
On the Other Side of Hate: A Former Nazi Speaks Out

On the Other Side of Hate: A Former Nazi Speaks Out

 

Receive the Aish.com Weekly Email

Sign up to our Aish Weekly Update Newsletter.

Our privacy policy