Torah From Boca

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 ...

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 somethi...

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...

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...

🎙 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 extraordinar...

🔥 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 ...

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 i...

Empty Chair, Broken Promises

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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, t...

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...

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 a...

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 #FindingTh...

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. Th...

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 peopl...

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 ...