Torah From Boca

Your family argues about Israel. Your cousin won’t budge, your uncle talks too loud, and somehow… you’re all still coming to the Seder. Right now, across the Jewish world, these conversations are straining relationships and even synagogues, with deep disagreements about Israel shaping how we see ourselves and each other. But maybe that’s not a failure of the Seder, maybe it’s the point. Pesach was never about uniformity; it’s about telling a shared story across difference, holding multiple voices at one table, and choosing to stay in relationship even when it’s hard. The question isn’t how we stop arguing, it’s whether we can keep showing up.  This Passover - Stay At The Table🍷

When Jews Gather, the Sanctuary Lives Torah from Boca with Rabbi David Baum What makes a synagogue the “largest” in America? Is it the size of the building, the beauty of the architecture, or the number of people who belong to it? In this episode of Torah from Boca, Rabbi David Baum explores that question through the lens of Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei and the Torah’s description of the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary built by the Israelites in the wilderness. At a time when synagogues around the world are facing threats and attacks, this teaching reminds us of a deeper truth in Jewish tradition: long before we had buildings, we were already a people. The Mishkan was not only about gold, silver, and sacred design. It was about a community gathering together to create holy space. Because in Judaism, the sanctuary truly lives when Jews gather together. 📖 Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei 🎙 Torah from Boca with Rabbi David Baum 📍 Congregation Shaarei Kodesh – Boca Raton, Florida - www.shaareikodesh.org Subscribe to Torah from Boca for weekly reflections on Torah, Jewish life, and the questions that shape our world today.

In this episode of Torah from Boca, Rabbi David Baum reflects on an unexpected source of inspiration: the Super Bowl halftime show and the cultural conversation that followed. After a personal Facebook post about growing up Jewish in Miami reached far beyond his usual audience, Rabbi Baum turned the moment into a sermon exploring Parashat Mishpatim and the Torah’s repeated command to care for the stranger. “What Does Home Sound Like? A Miami-Born Rabbi on Bad Bunny and the Torah of the Stranger” weaves together memories of a multilingual childhood, a powerful encounter with a stranger, and Jewish teachings about empathy, belonging, and American identity. This episode invites listeners to consider how music, culture, and Torah can expand our understanding of what it means to feel at home, even when the rhythm is unfamiliar.

What does it really mean to be part of the “Chosen People”? Is chosenness about privilege, identity, or responsibility? In this deeply personal and timely episode, Rabbi David Baum reflects on a powerful conversion story that raises one of Judaism’s oldest and most challenging questions. Through the lens of Parashat Yitro, the revelation at Sinai, and the courage of Queen Esther, this sermon explores the difference between being chosen and choosing covenant. Drawing on midrash, lived experience, and the realities of Jewish life after October 7, Rabbi Baum reframes chosenness not as superiority, but as sacred obligation. What does it mean to embrace Torah in a world that sometimes pressures Jews to feel small or silent? And how can a deeper sense of Jewish identity empower us to stand up for ourselves and for others? This episode invites listeners to rediscover Sinai as a living moment and to ask a timeless question: You are chosen. Now what will you do with that gift?

In this episode of Torah from Boca, Rabbi David Baum explores the overlooked opening verses of Parshat Beshalach, focusing on the surprising word chamushim and a powerful midrash that only one-fifth of the Israelites left Egypt and crossed into freedom. From Joseph’s bones carried through the desert to the ancient theme of memory, Rabbi Baum turns our ears toward what isn’t always seen in the dramatic climax of the Sea splitting. This week’s teaching is grounded in contemporary events that echo the ancient Torah’s themes. Israel has just recovered the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza, Ran Gvili, completing the return of every Israeli taken captive in the October 7, 2023 attacks and marking a painful but significant milestone in the ceasefire process. Stories like Gvili’s and the broader effort to bring everybody home remind us of our ongoing obligation to honor the living and the dead alike — an obligation deeply rooted in our tradition and exemplified in Moses’s promise to Joseph. Against the backdrop of Holocaust remembrance and Jewish continuity, this episode reflects on resilience, dignity, and the sacred task of never forgetting our people, their names, and their stories.

Rachel Kaplan & HaGal Sheli (My Wave) In this deeply moving episode of Torah From Boca, Rabbi David Baum is joined by Rachel Kaplan, a senior leader at HaGal Sheli – My Wave, an Israeli nonprofit using surf therapy to support youth at risk, trauma survivors, displaced families, and communities coping with PTSD — especially in the aftermath of October 7. Rachel focuses on partnerships and international outreach, helping connect HaGal Sheli’s life-changing work in Israel with Jewish communities and supporters around the world. Originally from the United States and now based in Tel Aviv, she brings together a background in international relations with a profound belief in the healing power of the ocean. Through her leadership and advocacy, HaGal Sheli has emerged as a powerful model of resilience — using the rhythm of the sea to help people regain strength, confidence, and hope when the ground beneath them no longer feels stable. 🌊 In this conversation, we explore: • Healing and trauma through embodied, relational work • What resilience looks like after October 7 • Why the ocean can become sacred space • How Jewish communities abroad can meaningfully partner in healing 🎥 Also included in this post: A powerful video from Zikim, capturing the return of Israeli hostages — moments filled with relief, sorrow, love, and collective breath. These scenes remind us that redemption is rarely simple, but it is deeply human and profoundly holy. 🔗 Videos featured: • Torah From Boca — Rachel Kaplan & HaGal Sheli: https://youtu.be/U1Zk0RFhJKw • Zikim — Hostage Returnees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNM2_kdz1lw 🙏 Support this holy work: If this conversation resonates with you and you would like to help sustain healing and resilience in Israel, please consider supporting HaGal Sheli – My Wave: 👉 Donate here: https://donate.stripe.com/eVabLa8Ac5EN5fa144

In this episode of Torah from Boca, Rabbi David Baum reflects on Parashat Va’eira through the lens of the moment we’re living in — a time when it can feel like one battle follows another. Beginning with a headline that hits uncomfortably close to home, Rabbi Baum explores recent acts of antisemitism alongside the Torah’s account of the plagues of Egypt. Why does Pharaoh grow more hardened with each blow? And what does Rashi teach us about the difference between becoming “battle-hardened” and losing our moral freedom? Drawing on Pirkei Avot and a deeply personal story of mitzvah and memory, this episode asks a powerful question: when darkness multiplies, how do we ensure that goodness does too? A thoughtful and timely reflection on resilience, responsibility, and the quiet power of choosing action over despair — one mitzvah at a time. https://youtu.be/E4Lo5kYf57A

💀 What Zombie shows reveals about compassion fatigue, psychic numbing, and how Torah teaches us to remember. #Shoftim #parashahoftheweek What does #thewalkingdead teach us about compassion in a world that grows numb? Think of Sheriff Rick Grimes. In the first episode, he honors the fallen stranger ("we will always remember him") before his empathy fades. Likewise, our hearts risk hardening in the face of relentless tragedy. This sermon explores how constant exposure to mass shootings and global horrors leads to compassion fatigue—as described in NPR’s  “Another Mass Shooting? ‘Compassion Fatigue’ Is a Natural Reaction” and psychic numbing, which was unpacked by the APA in their article “COVID-19 & Psychic Numbing.” Together, they demonstrate how numbers can often overshadow human stories. Torah offers a different way forward. Through Ramban’s vision of “circumcising the heart,” the haunting ritual of the Eglah Arufah, Seforno’s call to spare the trees, and Ibn Ezra’s demand for a culture that cherishes life, Judaism insists that every individual soul matters—even amid war. This week, we speak the names of Harper Lillian Moyski (10) and Fletcher Merkel (8)—two children whose lives cannot be reduced to statistics. In Elul, may we resist numbness, remember the names, and soften our hearts—so compassion remains our sacred response. 📖 Texts: Deuteronomy 21 (Eglah Arufah), Ramban, Seforno, Ibn Ezra, Mishnah Sanhedrin Articles 📰: Another Mass Shooting? ‘Compassion Fatigue’ Is a Natural Reaction” - https://www.npr.org/sections/health-s... Paul Slovic observes the ‘psychic numbing’ of COVID-19 - https://www.apa.org/members/content/c... 🕯️ Remembering: Harper Lillian Moyski (10) & Fletcher Merkel (8) ➡️ Watch to discover how Torah challenges us to resist numbness, remember names, and soften our hearts in a world that too often forgets. https://youtu.be/ES6VfgI4FGk?si=xwBOmw6JgxtkjLJ3 ----more----

Jim Morrison once sang, “When you’re strange, no one remembers your name.” This week in Parashat Eikev, I reflect on how the Torah commands us to do the opposite: to remember and to love the stranger, because we ourselves were strangers in Egypt. I share why this mitzvah is the most repeated in the Torah, how it speaks to today’s epidemic of loneliness, and what it means to build a Jewish community where no one is left unseen or forgotten. Click here for the YouTube version 

This week, Torah, holiday, and my own life all aligned. Parashat Va’etchanan commands us to love God with all our heart, soul, and might. The Jewish calendar gave us Tu B’Av, our festival of love, and on top of that, it’s our 19th wedding anniversary. In this episode, I revisit my original “Love Is a Verb” sermon from years ago, adding new insights from Jewish tradition, Steven Covey, Rabbi Shai Held, and the changes I’ve seen in relationships today, including the so-called Gen Z “Sex Depression” courtesy of Dr. Jean Twenge's research in her book Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents―and What They Mean for America's Future.  We’ll talk about how real love, whether for a spouse, a friend, a community, or God, isn’t just a feeling you wait to happen — it’s something you practice every single day through giving, serving, forgiving, and showing up.

“Silence is complicity” is a phrase I’ve heard a lot lately — especially when it comes to Israel, Gaza, and our own Jewish community. But what if the real danger isn’t silence, but how we speak? This week we open a new book of Torah, Deuteronomy, or Devarim. In the very first words of the book, Moshe offers a model: he delivers hard truths, but he does it in a way that protects dignity and keeps the community together. In this episode, I talk about the mitzvah of tochecha/rebuke and what it means to criticize with both courage and compassion. We’ll wrestle with the tension between universal and particular values, the dangers of public shaming, and why love must come before judgment. This is about learning to speak so that even when we disagree, we stay family.

War and Peace: What Aaron’s Staff Can Teach Us After the Twelve-Day War In this episode of Torah from Boca, I reflect on the recent Twelve-Day War between Israel, the United States, and Iran—a conflict that many are already calling a modern miracle. But what does it mean to witness a miracle in real time? And how do we respond to it, not just with gratitude, but with responsibility? Rather than focusing on the dramatic punishment of Korach in this week’s parashah, I explore the quieter, more enduring miracle of Aaron’s staff—how it sprouted, blossomed, and bore almonds overnight. What powerful lessons can we learn from this small miracle amidst the turmoil of conflict?  What tools do we need—not just to win battles, but to build peace? Join me as I explore what Aaron’s staff can teach us about leadership, healing, and the harder, holier work that comes after the fighting ends. Click Here to Read the Transcript

The Strength to Step Back: What My Shtender Taught Me About Leadership Parashat Shelach Lecha 2025/5785 In this episode of Torah from Boca, I share the story behind my humble wooden shtender—purchased in a basement shop in Jerusalem—and the verse I had engraved on it: “Moses was very humble, more than any man on earth.” That verse has shaped how I strive to lead. Drawing on Parashat Shelach Lecha, we explore how true leadership is not always about being the loudest voice in the room. It's about knowing when to speak—and when to make space for others to rise. From Moses to Hillel, from Caleb and Joshua to the leaders of today, we look at the sacred dance of humility and courage. Because sometimes, leadership isn’t about stepping up—it’s about stepping back.  

Torah from Boca – Episode Title: How a Two-Week Trip to Volunteer In Israel After October 7 Changed My Life with Yocheved Ruttenberg In this powerful episode of Torah from Boca, Rabbi David Baum speaks with Yocheved, founder and CEO of the Sword of Iron Israel Volunteer Corp—the fastest-growing grassroots volunteer movement to emerge in the wake of October 7. What began as a two-week mission—armed with 23 duffel bags of donated supplies—became a life-altering journey of Aliyah and purpose. Yocheved shares how she left behind a sales career in Dallas, Texas, and committed herself entirely to the people of Israel. Since then, her organization has mobilized over 40,000 volunteers globally, bridging communities and sparking a worldwide wave of action and unity. Listen in as we explore the sacred responsibility of showing up, the courage to start something new, and how Torah values come to life through acts of hesed, leadership, and resilience. Click Here For Video Version Click Here to Support Sword of Iron or learn more Click Here To Read About Yocheved's Incredible Story  

🎙️ Torah From Boca — Episode Title: Fear Builds Encampments. Love Builds Community; Our Choice Encampment or Community? I originally planned to give this teaching in light of what’s happening here in the United States—the immigration raids, ICE deportations of undocumented individuals, and the protests that have erupted in response, some of which turned chaotic and violent. I wanted to bring Torah into that conversation, to explore how we, as Jewish-Americans, think about “outsiders,” borders, and the kind of society we want to build as a minority ourselves.  But then, everything shifted. Israel struck Iran. Suddenly, our attention turned to questions of national security, survival, and strength. In this episode, I share a teaching that pivots from these headlines to a deeper Torah conversation: What’s the difference between an encampment and a congregation? Between a people bound by fear and one bound by destiny? Drawing on Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik’s powerful insight and this week’s parashah, I reflect on the kind of communities we’re building—both here and in Israel—and what our sacred tradition asks of us when the world feels unstable. This episode is about more than headlines. It’s about what it means to be a sacred people in an uncertain world. Click Here to Download the Text Sheet With Sources Click Here For the Video Version On YouTube  

Welcome to this week's Torah from Boca from Tel Aviv!  In this special episode, I’m recording from Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel. I had the privilege of joining a fellowship with rabbinical students from across denominations—Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and non-denominational—as part of an immersive experience that brings future Jewish leaders into dialogue with Israeli society, its challenges, and its soul. While in Tel Aviv, I sat down with my friend and colleague, Rabbi Leor Sinai—a fellow dreamer, educator, and passionate Zionist—for a deep and wide-ranging conversation. We spoke about what Zionism means today, especially in the wake of October 7; the power of Jewish peoplehood; the spiritual return we're witnessing in our communities; and what it means to love our people fiercely—even when we disagree. We also talk Torah, of course—this week’s parashah, Bamidbar, and how every Jew is like a letter in the scroll of our people—indispensable and holy. So whether you're in Boca, Jerusalem, or somewhere in between, join us as we unpack this moment in Jewish history—raw, real, and filled with purpose. You can read more about my mission with the Sinai Temple Israel Fellows here  Click Here For the Video on Rabbi Leor Sinai's YouTube Channel 

Ever faced an invitation you didn't know if you should accept? This week on Torah from Boca, I reveal a decision I've never shared publicly—turning down a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence during the first Trump administration. I had a good reason: it was my son's siddur ceremony (when he received his first prayer book) at his school. But what if that meeting hadn't conflicted with my son's special day? Honestly, this podcast isn't really about that meeting, but it's about all the meetings we may have with people with whom we disagree with, or that our friends disagree with. It is about a question I explore the Torah's teachings on how we should treat those we strongly disagree with, discussing whether rabbis—and all of us—should engage privately with controversial and even dangerous individuals. Join me in wrestling with one of Judaism’s toughest ethical questions: Can we truly love our neighbor—even when it's hard? A special thank you to my friend and colleague Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, who inspired this sermon from his meeting with Itimar Ben Gvir, which can be read in its entirety here - https://rabbiefremgoldberg.org/ben-gvir Click here to read the text version here

  In this episode of Torah from Boca, I share a story I love—a hilarious (and surprisingly deep) tale of a silent debate between a pope and a Jew named Moishe. It's funny, yes—but like so many Jewish jokes, there’s truth beneath the humor. Watching the world await the white smoke of the papal election, I felt something stir in me. Not jealousy, but what Bishop Krister Stendahl once called sacred envy—the ability to admire another religion’s spiritual beauty without wanting to imitate it. But then I turned to this week’s Torah portion, Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, and was reminded of how Judaism offers something radical and powerful: the democratization of holiness. We don’t have a pope. We don’t wait for one person in a robe to bring us close to God. The Torah teaches that each of us—yes, even those with broken Hebrew or bad Latin—can live lives of holiness through our actions. Join me as I reflect on what this parashah teaches us about leadership, holiness, and the sacred challenge of showing up fully—no titles required.

Why do I keep kosher? Why do any of us? Why do I keep kosher—and why don’t so many Jews today? In this episode of Torah from Boca, I share a story that says so much about modern Jewish life: a congregant once emailed me outraged that BaconFest was scheduled for Yom Kippur… because he wanted to go. It’s a funny moment—but also a real one. We live in a culture that prizes indulgence and immediate satisfaction. Kashrut offers something radical in response: a spiritual discipline of restraint. In Parashat Shemini, we revisit the kosher laws—not as relics of the past, but as an invitation to a more mindful, ethical, and holy way of living. I reflect on what happens when “because I said so” is God’s reason—and why that might be enough. We explore Adam and Eve’s vegetarianism, Noah’s concessions, the concept of basar ta’avah (meat of craving), and how what we consume shapes not just our bodies, but our souls. This is a deep dive into kashrut—not as a diet, but as a daily practice of connection. 🎙️ Listen, reflect, and share if it speaks to you. Check out my website: www.rabbidavidbaum.com for more Torah From Boca

  Over the last two years, we’ve seen college campuses across the country erupt with cries for “liberation.” The word is everywhere—but I’ve been asking myself: Liberation toward what? And according to whom? In this episode of Torah from Boca, I’m sharing a sermon I gave on the 7th Day of Passover—one of our tradition’s most powerful moments of liberation. But in Judaism, liberation is never the end of the story. True freedom only begins when we receive revelation. Without moral grounding, “liberation” can turn into something dangerous—even destructive. Drawing from Torah, the voices of the rabbis, and what’s happening right now on campuses like Columbia, I explore what it really means to be free—and why Jewish liberation must always be tied to covenant, values, and the sacred responsibilities that come with freedom. If you’ve felt unsettled, confused, or even heartbroken by what you’re seeing unfold around us—this episode is for you. Join me as we ask: Who are we serving when we cry out for freedom?

What does a small aleph in the Torah, the silence of a child at the Seder, and your Facebook feed have in common? In this episode, Rabbi Baum explores the power of silence in Jewish tradition—from the quiet humility of Moses to the child who does not know how to ask at Seder, to the challenge of raising thoughtful questions in a noisy world. As Passover approaches, discover how sacred silence might just be the invitation we need to deepen our conversations around the Seder table—and beyond.

🎙 We Are Not Boring: The Secret History of Jewish America Has anyone here seen The Frisco Kid? A Polish rabbi, played by Gene Wilder, is sent to America in the 1800s—only to find that the joke isn’t on him, but on American Jewry itself. Before the Holocaust, Jewish scholarship and intellectualism thrived in Europe, while American Jews were seen as an afterthought, a punchline. But here’s the twist: We built something extraordinary. From the earliest Jewish refugees in New Amsterdam to the birth of America’s powerful Jewish institutions, we forged a unique identity—one that too many of us don’t even realize we have. In this episode, we dive into the secret history of American Jews, the biblical roots of our communal responsibility, and why we are anything but boring. Thanks to Haviv Rettig Gur and his excellent podcast, Ask Haviv Anything, specifically, the second episode titled, The Lost History of American Jews.  🔊 Tune in for an eye-opening journey through the story of us. 💡 Enjoy this podcast? Feeling inspired to make a difference? Support our work at Congregation Shaarei Kodesh—donate here. 

🔥 Who Lit the Flame of Judaism for You? 🔥 Who in your life ignited your Jewish spark? Was it a rabbi, a teacher, or a family member who lived out their Judaism in everyday actions? In this thought-provoking sermon, Rabbi David Baum explores the power of passing the torch—through generations, through mitzvot, and through the light of Torah. Drawing connections between the Olympic torch relay, the eternal flame of the Mishkan, and the hidden light of Purim, Rabbi Baum reminds us that Jewish continuity is a daily commitment, not just a historic event. Click here to watch 

What makes a synagogue truly holy? Is it the grandeur of its architecture—or something much deeper? In this d’var Torah on Parashat Terumah, given at his son’s bar mitzvah, Rabbi David Baum reflects on sacred spaces, personal experiences from the March of the Living, and a surprising insight from his own children. As his son, born and raised at Congregation Shaarei Kodesh, reaches this milestone, Rabbi Baum shares how meaningful it is to celebrate in a warm and loving community. Drawing on the wisdom of Jewish tradition, he explores where God truly dwells—not just in buildings, but in our hearts. Listen to this podcast to discover what really makes a shul a spiritual home!  Click here to watch the video and read the transcript   

Empty Chair, Broken Promises Click here to read In this deeply moving episode of Torah from Boca, Rabbi David Baum reflects on a powerful moment from his visit to Israel’s Library of Congress, where empty chairs, each holding a hostage’s favorite book, bear witness to the ongoing tragedy of October 7th. Through the devastating story of the Bibas family and the Torah’s unflinching condemnation of kidnapping in Parashat Mishpatim, this episode explores how Jewish tradition demands justice, recognizes the long echoes of trauma, and offers a path forward in the face of unimaginable grief. Join us in an act of witnessing—because in Jewish tradition, to bear witness is not passive. It is a call to action, to memory, and to hope.

In honor of World Wide Wrap - a program through the Conservative movement's Federation of Jewish Men's Club that synagogues across the world will be hosting (as well as our congregation, Shaarei Kodesh - www.shaareikodesh.org), I'm posting a sermon I gave in 2019 on Yom Kippur about tefillin titled, Tefillin: Failure and the Marks We Make.    Here's an excerpt:    Whenever I discuss tefillin with bnai mitzvah families, I will often receive this question:  “Can my son or daughter where his deceased grandfather’s or great-grandfather’s tefillin instead of buying him or her a new pair?”  I understand what they are really asking for.  They want their loved one to make an impact, to leave a mark, on their child like their loved one made on them.   The truth is, and I am honest with these families, there’s a 95% chance that these old pair of tefillin are no longer kosher.  You can get them checked, but if they aren’t kosher, the sofer will not put them back together again for you.  I tell them,  “I am sure that your grandparent, who is no longer with us, would want your son or daughter to have their own set of tefillin.”   I cannot wear my Grandfather’s actual tefillin from that story, they were taken away from him, and they are forever lost.  But my grandfather is here and he taught his son the value of following God’s commandments, God’s mitzvoth, and our tradition, and my father and mother taught me.  I have had a couple of pairs of tefillin in my life, but each pair of tefillin I own are my grandfather’s, and his grandfather’s, and also YOUR grandfather’s.   The bayit, the boxes of the tefillin, are made of skin, just like we are; the words inside of the tefillin are written on skin as well.  Tefillin boxes breakdown, the letter on the parchment crack and smudge, eventually, they have to be buried, but if we put them on every day, if we speak the words inside, if we perform the actions, the mitzvoth, the sacred acts that tie us to God, our tefillin will live forever.  These words will be spoken to a new generation who will cherish them, and remember them.  This is how we stay alive - the body dies, but the soul is eternal.   Here's a recent post I wrote about Tefillin, thinking back to this story: https://www.rabbidavidbaum.com/post/baum-s-branches-symbols-of-survival-and-hope-parashat-bo

On this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Rabbi David Baum’s sermon for Parashat Vaera, Protecting Our Hearts: Confronting Evil Without Losing Ourselves, offers a profound reflection on the role of suffering, resilience, and the human heart in the face of injustice. Drawing parallels between the biblical Exodus, the civil rights movement, and the challenges of our modern world, Rabbi Baum invites us to confront the timeless question: Is suffering necessary to bring about change? Rabbi Baum shares the story of his great-uncle Andrew Baum, a Holocaust survivor whose unwavering hope and optimism sustained him and others in the darkest of times. Protecting Our Hearts is not just a reflection on the past but a guide for the present. It challenges us to confront evil without losing ourselves, to choose hope over despair, and to remember that the power to shape our hearts—and our world—lies within us. As we remember the victims of the Holocaust and all who have suffered under oppression, let us commit to opening our hearts, strengthening our resolve, and working together to bring light into the world. This sermon is a reminder that while suffering may be a part of our history, it does not have to define our future. The choice is ours. Visit Rabbi Baum's website for more www.rabbidavidbaum.com

More Than a Number, But A Name: Reclaiming Our Humanity After the Release of the Hostages. In this week's Torah From Boca, I examine the power of names and how recognizing the inherent dignity of every human being is crucial for building a just and compassionate society, and the enduring relevance of the Exodus story for our world today, as we strive to overcome prejudice and create a more just future. I also speak about hostages and the potential release on Sunday, January 19.

What if you were the last Jew on Earth? In his sermon, Rabbi Baum examines the recurring fear of 'the ever-dying people' and how it shapes Jewish identity and practice. The Torah portion Vayehi highlights Jacob's fear of being the last Jew, which mirrors the anxieties of Jews in the diaspora who worry about assimilation. Rabbi Baum also shares a story of his grandfather, a holocaust survivor. 

"The Miracle of What We Leave Behind: The 'Torah' of Ethical Wills" - click here for the written version 

We will experience a unique moment this year: the first night of Hanukkah (25th of Kislev) falling on December 25th, Christmas Day. This convergence invites us to reflect on the lights we choose to illuminate our homes and hearts. From ancient coins hidden in the Judean Desert to Joseph’s struggles in last week’s parashah, we uncover treasures of resilience, identity, and hope. #Hanukkah2024 #JewishIdentity #FindingTheLight 🕎✨

How do we balance our Jewish identity with American ideals, especially during Thanksgiving? I explore this question through my own Thanksgiving traditions, reflections on Jewish-American history, and the lessons of Parashat Chayyei Sarah. From Abraham's struggle as a "resident alien" to George Washington's promise of religious equality, I delve into the tensions and opportunities of living as proud Jews in a pluralistic society. This year, how can we put the Jewish back in Jewish-American? 

For this week's Torah from Boca, I'm bringing in a new voice, my friend and colleague Rabbi Leor Sinai, Global-Speaker, Educator, & Thought-Leader  who spoke at our congregation as part of his Anchors of Hope speaking tour. His words inspired our congregation, and also challenged us. My words are a response to his in a way, but also a message for all of us about how we can learn more through seeing the world through other people's perspectives.

Beyond the Babel: The 2024 Election and Seeing the Humanity In Each Other - a dvar torah for parashat Noah, specifically, about the story of the Tower of Babel.  Read more at - www.rabbidavidbaum.com

Have you ever heard of a 'Where were you when' moment? A 'where were you when' moment is a moment that society or culture experiences together. In Judaism, we don't focus so much on the 'where you when' moments, rather, we focus on the 'hineini' moments. Hineini literally means “I am here”, but it really means I am present, aware, and I am ready to respond. In this sermon given on Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Baum focuses on how Jewish America responded after October 7th. 

In this powerful Rosh Hashanah sermon, Rabbi Baum reflects on the complexities of Zionism and Jewish identity in the wake of rising antisemitism and polarized debates surrounding Israel. Drawing from personal conversations with Jewish students, Jewish texts, and the moving story of Ethiopian Jewish journalist Danny Adeno Abebe, he explores the tension between despair and aspiration in Zionism post-10/7. Link for Video  

Shalom y'all! This is our introduction to our podcast. You can learn more about me at www.rabbidavidbaum.com and/or our congregation at www.shaareikodesh.org. Please subscribe! 

Am I Unsafe Or Just Uncomfortable? In this week's Torah from Boca, Rabbi Baum discusses the strugle with Jewish Identity that so many are having in a post-October 7th World. Do I tuck my Jewish star in my shirt, or out? 

In this episode of Torah from Boca, Rabbi David Baum reflect's on the themes of loss and return, inspired by Parashat Ki Teitzei and the anniversary of 9/11. We explore the mitzvah of Hashavat Avedah—the returning of lost objects—and its spiritual connection to teshuvah, the process of returning to our true selves and God. 

In this episode, "Sukkot in August: Building Spiritual Homes in a World of Comfort," (parashat Re'eh) we explore the tension between modern comforts, like air conditioning, and the ancient wisdom of Sukkot. In this sermon. delivered at Congregation Shaarei Kodesh, I discuss how our dependence on comfort has made us more insular, and how the festival of Sukkot invites us to reconnect with nature and each other. Maybe a bit of discomfort is what we need to live a sustainable life?

The sermon discusses the theme of redemption after making mistakes. Individuals, especially in the age of social media, are often defined by their worst moments, as illustrated through the stories of the "Crazy Plane Lady" and Ryann Milligan. You may be defined by your biggest mistake, but can you come back from it? How can we help others come back after they have repented?   

  Click here for a transcript https://www.rabbidavidbaum.com/post/what-would-golda-do-today In this dvar torah/sermon, Rabbi Baum explores the parallels between the past and the present, focusing on the 50th Anniversary of the Yom Kippur War and its relevance to the current situation in Israel today regarding judicial reform and protests by opponents of the current government.