Reuven H. Taff, at The Blogs

May 24, 2026, 11:06 AM

How California’s Voter Guide published a candidate’s antisemitic conspiracy theories

One of the 61 gubernatorial candidates ranted about Israel and Jewish people instead of describing himself. Did the state have to publish it? This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Recently I received in the mail California’s Official...

May 15, 2026, 1:13 AM

Nick Kristof’s Never-Ending Obsession with Israel

Kristof’s NYT column reads as the work of an illusionist who blurs the line between allegation and established fact. “Obsession” is commonly defined as “an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.” It is difficult to...

Mar 6, 2026, 5:00 AM

Gavin Newsom Is No Jack Kennedy

The following was originally published in the Jewish Journal and is republished in The Times of Israel Blogs with permission. He’s handsome, has great hair, and many say he has charisma. But when the world is burning and allies are...

Mar 2, 2026, 12:34 AM

A Prayer for Israel, America, Our Troops, and the People of Iran

This morning, our family in the United States joined a Zoom call with members of our family in Israel, who shared their fear and resolve as they endure ballistic missile attacks from Iran. The sirens did not sound during...

Jan 23, 2026, 11:38 PM

A UC Davis professor calls for violence against Jews — and keeps her position

Screenshot is from Professor Jemma Decristo’s posting on X (formerly Twitter) in October 2023. It was deleted within a few days of its original posting.

In September 2025, The Times of Israel published “What the heck is going on at UC Davis?” The answer is now clearer—and more disturbing—than ever. What follows is an op-ed published by The San Francisco Chronicle and reposted here...

Jan 14, 2026, 3:42 AM

An Open Letter to California State Senator Scott Wiener

Reflecting on your abrupt reversal on Israel as you campaign for Congress—a shameful act that secures your place in the Jewish annals of infamy. Dear Senator Wiener, I write to you as a Californian, a Jew, and someone who has long...

Dec 14, 2025, 1:10 PM

Oy to the world: The Jewish hand in the holiday mix

Composer Irving Berlin sings his song 'God Bless America' for service men at the Stage Door Canteen in New York City, July 9, 1942. (AP Photo) (Times of Israel)

While many may not realize how deeply Jewish composers have shaped the sound of Christmas, this rabbi explores that shared musical legacy and concludes with a Hanukkah reimagining of a beloved classic. It all begins around Thanksgiving. The airwaves are...

Oct 1, 2025, 8:07 AM

A special Hineni for Bibi and DJT

Then-US president Donald Trump (left) smiles at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after signing a proclamation recognizing the Golan Heights as part of Israel, in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House in Washington, on March 25, 2019. (AP Photo/ Susan Walsh) (Times of Israel)

The Hineni prayer is recited by the cantor (hazzan) on Yom Kippur before the Musaf Amidah. The prayer embodies humility, dependence on God, and the awesome weight of responsibility in leading others. On Yom Kippur, this moment is made even...

Sep 25, 2025, 9:22 PM

Featured Post

What the heck is going on at UC Davis?

Two years after a professor made violent threats against Jews, the university has done nothing

Aug 19, 2025, 8:42 PM

A Stain on Israel’s Soul: Remembering Hersh Goldberg-Polin and the Beautiful Six

This combination of six undated photos shows hostages, from top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi; from bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat. They were murdered by their Hamas captors in Gaza in August 2024. (The Hostages Families Forum via AP) (Times of Israel)

A shocking silence from Israel’s leadership exposes a government void of compassion, conscience and morality Today was the first yahrzeit (anniversary of death on the Hebrew calendar) for Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages murdered by Hamas in captivity last...

About Me

Rabbi Reuven Taff, a native of Albany, New York, is rabbi emeritus of Mosaic Law Congregation in Sacramento, California, where he served for 25 years. His opinion pieces have appeared in The Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), The Jerusalem Post, and other publications.

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