Torah From Boca

We Are Not Boring: The Secret History of Jewish America

🎙 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 Your Fire? The Power of Jewish Inspiration

🔥 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 

The Edifice Complex: What Really Matters in a Synagogue

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 Chairs, Broken Hearts: The Torah’s Response to Kidnapping and Loss

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.

Tefillin: Our Symbols of Survival and 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

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 🕎✨