Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson

Latest from Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson

The Rebbe always played offence – where others counted losses, he counted possibilities

Football, like life, is played as much in the mind as on the field: when you stop playing to win, you start playing not to lose. Judaism asks us not merely to survive, but to flourish

4 min read

England's forward Harry Kane and teammates after losing the 2026 World Cup football tournament semi-final match against Argentina on July 15, 2026. (Image: Getty Images)

Lighting the way: The word Chanukah is closely related to chinuch – education

The world needs our moral fire

4 min read

Mental Health concept. Psychology. Neuroscience and creative mind

How to begin writing the Book of our Lives

4 min read

On his 30th Yahrzeit, remembering the leader of leaders who knew how to influence people

3 min read

The words that define us as a people

In an extract from his new book, Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson shows how language shapes our thinking

4 min read

June 1, 2023 16:38

A band plays in MetLife Stadium on January 1, 2020, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as people gather to mark the Siyum HaShas, an event that celebrates the completion of the reading of the Babylonian Talmud. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

The family planning that Shavuot asks us to do

The festival, which begins on Saturday night, reminds us of the importance of educating our children

3 min read

June 2, 2022 10:00

Jewish man sharing challah bread with family at Shabbat meal

Vayelech

“He said to them, ‘Today I am 120 years old. I can no longer go or come, and the Lord said to me, ‘You shall not cross this Jordan’” Deuteronomy 31:2

1 min read

September 9, 2021 16:09

Re'eh

“If there will be among you a needy person…you shall not harden your heart, and you shall not close your hand from your needy brother” Deuteronomy 15:7

1 min read

August 6, 2021 10:29

Antisemitism may be driving some Jews back to observance, but we need to stress the positive

Judaism is about what we stand for, not what we stand against

7 min read

June 15, 2021 14:52

Antisemitism may be driving some Jews back to observance, but we need to stress the positive

Acharei Mot-Kedoshim

“You shall love your neighbour as yourself” – Leviticus 19:18

1 min read

April 23, 2021 10:05

Vayikra

“When a man from [among] you brings a sacrifice to the Lord; from animals, from cattle or from the flock, you shall bring your sacrifice” Leviticus 1:2

1 min read

March 19, 2021 09:55