Torah From Boca
Welcome to ”Torah from Boca,” the podcast by Rabbi David Baum. Rabbi Baum serves as the first full-time rabbi of Congregation Shaarei Kodesh, a vibrant ’shul’ in West Boca Raton affiliated with USCJ (United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism) since 2009. Over his 14-year tenure at the congregation and his leadership positions in the South Palm Beach County community, Rabbi Baum has been a dedicated teacher of Torah, sharing its timeless lessons and insights with his community. In ”Torah from Boca,” Rabbi Baum brings this wealth of knowledge and experience directly to your ears. But why ”Torah from Boca,” you might wonder? Well, ”Boca” in Spanish means ”mouth.” In the Jewish tradition, there is a written Torah, called Torah Sh’BeTichtav, and an oral Torah, called Torah Sh’BeAl Peh, literally from the mouth. I will speak Torah (which is an expansive term), but also welcome others to share their Torah. Join me as we delve into sacred texts, exploring their relevance in today’s world, and offering thought-provoking perspectives. Whether you’re a lifelong student of Torah or just beginning your exploration, ”Torah from Boca” is your opportunity to engage with ancient wisdom in a modern and meaningful way. Tune in to discover the beauty, wisdom, and spirituality of Torah, delivered straight from the heart of Boca Raton, Florida. Subscribe now and embark on a journey of learning and inspiration with ”Torah from Boca.” You can check out my website for more information about me: www.rabbidavidbaum.com
Episodes
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 o...
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 ...
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 sup...
🎙️ 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 explor...
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 Av...
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...
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
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...
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 #FindingTh...
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