Torah From Boca

Protecting Our Hearts: Confronting Evil Without Losing Ourselves

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 - A Name: Reclaiming Our Humanity After the Release of the Hostages

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? Parashat Vayehi

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

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

When Hanukkah’s Spark Meets Christmas Lights: Buried Light: Finding the Spark of Jewish Identity and Resilience this Hanukkah

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 🕎✨

Putting the ‘Jewish’ back in Jewish-American: Thanksgiving and Jewish Identity

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? 

Healing the Divide: Learning to See Through Each Other’s Eyes - Parashat Vayera

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

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

Hineini - Here I Am: Responding to Pivotal Moments - Rosh Hashanah Day 2

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. 

Post October 7th Zionism : From Desperation to Aspiration

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