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.

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.

10 Reasons Why We Need the Messiah Right Now

Chief Editor's Blog

10 Reasons Why We Need the Messiah Right Now

by

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

by

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

by

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?

by

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

A Horrific Murder

Chief Editor's Blog

A Horrific Murder

by

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

by

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

Our Brothers

Chief Editor's Blog

Our Brothers

by

Seven snapshots from an intense week in Israel.

Cardinal O’Connor Was a Jew

Chief Editor's Blog

Cardinal O’Connor Was a Jew

by

Does it really matter?

Most Popular at aish.com

Judaism and Tattoos

Judaism and Tattoos

 
Heaven and Hell Explained

Heaven and Hell Explained

 
Masturbation and Mastering Self-Control: My Personal Struggle

Masturbation and Mastering Self-Control: My Personal Struggle

 
After 500 Years, My Family's Return to Judaism

After 500 Years, My Family's Return to Judaism

 
Searching for Jews Saved by the Angel of Budapest

Searching for Jews Saved by the Angel of Budapest

 

Receive the Aish.com Weekly Email

Sign up to our Aish Weekly Update Newsletter.

Our privacy policy