Rabbi Pini Dunner

Benjamin Franklin wrote: “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” He was wrong. There is a third certainty: antisemitism! Here are my thoughts, after this past chaotic week at UCLA and elsewhere around the country. Read the article.

AS CERTAIN AS DEATH AND TAXES - Rabbi Pini Dunner In November 1789, as he neared the end of his life, Benjamin Franklin penned a letter to the French scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy.

Reflecting on the profound challenges facing Israel amid the ongoing conflict. Ramban on Tazria explores the unique spiritual significance of Eretz Yisrael, offering an uplifting message that can help us all in these dark times. Read the article.

SEEING BEYOND THE FOG OF WAR - Rabbi Pini Dunner A report in January revealed that the IDF was experiencing significant mental health issues with some of their personnel as a result of October 7th.

My response to a Haredi apologist for Haredim not serving in the IDF - written from the perspective of a Haredi. No religious arguments about aschalta di'geulah, or the "Jewish" duty to serve . Just plain logic. Read the article.

From one Haredi man to another From the blog of Pini Dunner at The Times of Israel

Over the past week, everyone I have met has asked me - what was it that left the deepest impression on you during your recent trip to Israel? It was hard to pin it down, but I think this is it. Read the article.

SOMETHING I'LL NEVER FORGET - Rabbi Pini Dunner Since returning from Israel after my latest visit, I am constantly being asked – what was it that left the deepest impression?

Rabbi Dunner shares a Midrash that indicates the importance and centrality of civil law in Judaism. With the help of the Darash Mordechai, multiple Chazals, and a beautiful piece from the Chida, Rabbi Dunner explains why ritual law must always take second place to civil law in the conduct of a Jew.

MISHPATIM - THE POWER OF THE LAW Rabbi Dunner shares a Midrash that indicates the importance and centrality of civil law in the Jewish faith. With the help of the Darash Mordechai, multiple ...

I just spent 2 days with 15 colleagues from the LA Board of Rabbis on a solidarity and fact-finding mission to Israel. It has been a watershed experience. Here are my reflections.

ECHOES OF OCTOBER 7TH - Rabbi Pini Dunner I have just spent a few days in Israel. This was not my first visit since October 7th – but this week’s visit was a life-changing experience.

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An Evening of Remembrance Solidarity with Israel Join us for an evening of unity as we come together to mark the shloshim since the horrific massacres and stand in solidarity with Israel.

The fascinating story of Operation Mincemeat and its connection to Parshat Eikev.

The Smallest Details of Faith Can Be the Key to Our Success A Torah scroll. Photo: RabbiSacks.org. I doubt you will have ever heard of Ewen Edward Samuel Montagu. He was born …

An Ohr Hachaim commentary on the opening words of Parshat Eikev and a remarkable Rambam offer some insights into the concept of joy, and its centrality in the Jewish faith. An inspiring message that will bring a smile to your face.

A MESSAGE OF JOY - Rabbi Pini Dunner An Ohr Hachaim commentary on the opening words of Parshat Eikev offers insights into joy, and its centrality in the Jewish faith.

Napoleon's conversations with his confidant on St. Helena were later published as a book. They include one of the most remarkable admissions of a military dictator ever made. In this article, Rabbi Dunner shares a stunning Torah parallel from Parshat Balak.

A VICTORY OF THE SPIRIT - Rabbi Pini Dunner Emmanuel-Auguste-Dieudonné (1766-1842), was a French naval officer and the esteemed author of a bestselling atlas.

The remarkable Universe 25 experiment provides a backdrop to an analysis of the lessons of Korach. An enclosure of mice billed as "mouse heaven" turned out to be "mouse hell". It's a crazy story. But Korach got there first!

OF MICE AND MEN - Rabbi Pini Dunner As the French saying goes, “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.” Human nature is oblivious to the constraints of time and place.

Rabbi Dunner's thoughts on the Adirei Hatorah event this past Sunday. What a difference a century makes.

NO MORE A HIDDEN TREASURE - Rabbi Pini Dunner In March 1924, almost 100 years ago, three exceptional rabbinic leaders crossed the Atlantic to launch a mission that would last eight months.

Older people tend to be disdainful of foolish youthful enthusiasm. But the young have the advantage of being more open to change, pivoting easily from one thing to another. There's a fascinating reference to this exact quality hidden in the laws of Nazir.

YOUNG AT HEART - Rabbi Pini Dunner Countless psychological and sociological studies suggest that younger individuals are more receptive to change than older people.

When exactly is Shavuot? Don't reach for your calendar... the answer is not so simple. Welcome to one of the oldest controversies in Judaism.

When Exactly is Shavuot? What date is Shavuot? Don’t reach for your calendar; instead look at the original source, the Torah.Pesach is on 15 Nissan, Rosh Hashana is on 1 Tishrei, Yom...

The story of the French Revolution's best-known leader, Maximilien Robespierre, is both enigmatic and fascinating. Not least because he was known as "the incorruptible" - even by his enemies - a name that is difficult to reconcile with his propensity for political violence. Rabbi Dunner weighs in.

A LESSON FROM THE FRENCH REVOLUTION - Rabbi Pini Dunner One of the most cataclysmic periods in modern history was the French Revolution, starting in the late 1780s and continuing into the mid-1790s.

At the beginning of Parshat Pekudei, Moshe Rabbeinu offers up a detailed accounting of all the precious metal collected for use in the construction of the Mishkan, down to the last ounce. What was the purpose of this accounting, and why are there crucial details of the gold missing from the record?

ALL THAT GLITTERS - Rabbi Pini Dunner At the beginning of Pekudei, Moshe Rabbeinu offers up a detailed accounting of all the precious metal collected for the Mishkan.

Learning self-love is not narcissism, rather it is the precursor to all healthy relationships. Using this as his model, Rabbi Dunner explains a puzzling phrase about Shabbat in Ki Tissa, and a confounding Talmudic passage about the path to messianic redemption.

A LIFELONG ROMANCE - Rabbi Pini Dunner Oscar Wilde is purported to have said that “to love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”

Believe it or not, Tinseltown and the Acadamy Awards have something profound to teach us.

A LESSON FROM THE OSCARS - Rabbi Pini Dunner It’s early March in Los Angeles, and Oscars excitement is well-and-truly upon us.

Far from being a parsha about some obscure historical construction project, Terumah is rich in messages and symbolism that are relevant to us all right now. Find out for yourself.

LESSONS FOR ALL TIME (VIDEO) - Rabbi Pini Dunner The messages and symbolism of the Mishkan and its vessels reverberate throughout Jewish history, down to this day.

A beautiful insight from the late Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, who finds a reference to sublimation hidden in a pasuk in Mishpatim.

CHANNELING YOUR OX AND DONKEY (PODCAST) - Rabbi Pini Dunner Sigmund Freud came up with the concept of sublimation as one of psychology's "defense mechanisms." Or did he?

Some great stories, and some wonderful lessons -- all drawn from Parshas Mishapatim.

SETTING THE TABLE - Rabbi Pini Dunner At the beginning of Parshat Mishpatim, God says to Moses “these are the laws that you shall set before them.”

Rabbi Dunner shares some moon talk from this week's Torah portion...

BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON (VIDEO) - Rabbi Pini Dunner The first mitzva given to the Jewish nation as a whole is in Parshat Bo, and it is about how they should determine the calendar.

Are we ready to admit to our mistakes? We all make them. Stubborn refusal to acknowledge that we are wrong is one of life's gravest errors. Learning to correct that mistake is one of life's most important lessons.

WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES - Rabbi Pini Dunner “My specialty is being right when other people are wrong!” These are the words of George Bernard Shaw (1857-1950).

Join Rabbi Dunner tomorrow for a shiur - part of the "Covenant & Continuity" series based on the teachings of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l. Rabbi Dunner will address the topic of "Brotherhood and sibling rivalry in the Book of Bereish*t". Use this link to register: https://www.lsjs.ac.uk/covenant-and-continuity-sefer-bereish*t-the-book-of-genesis-1739.php The zoom link will be sent to you 3 hours before the class begins.

Rabbi Dunner shares some wonderful insights into the tactics and strategies employed by Jacob in anticipation of his meeting with Esav after decades of separation.

VAYISHLACH - BROTHERS APART Before meeting up with Esau after a separation that had lasted many years, Jacob sends messengers with gifts to appease his brother. The messengers were inst...

It comes in many sizes and colors, and even the shape varies considerably. The etrog is undoubtedly one of the world's most remarkable fruits, whose only use is on Sukkot. Rabbi Dunner delves into the modern controversy over hybridized etrogim.

THE WORLD'S MOST REMARKABLE FRUIT (PODCAST) - Rabbi Pini Dunner The etrog is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable fruits of all fruits, whose only use is as one of the "four species" on Sukkot.

Before the shofar was sounded, on both days of Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Pini Dunner addressed the community, to offer a message of hope for the future, and to share some lessons derived from the Rosh Hashana festival. His message on the first day of Rosh Hashana was drawn from a remarkable Holocaust story. You will be inspired.

THE RADOSH*TZER'S SHOFAR - Rabbi Pini Dunner The Talmud describes two types of sound that you need to hear from the shofar. One of them is the “tekiah”.

It's no accident that Parshat Nitzavim is always read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana. Find out why.

WE'RE ALWAYS STANDING - Rabbi Pini Dunner Parshat Nitzavim is always read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana. According to Rabbi Dunner's grandfather, this is not random.

A short video from Rabbi Dunner with some thoughts to ponder, as we begin the final countdown to Yamim Noraim.

THE LIGHTS ARE ON - Selichos Message All of our teshuva efforts seem to be focused very heavily on Ellul and Tishrei, and in fact, the Rambam says that the true focus for Teshuva is just Yom Kip...