Rabbi Jim‘s Podcast

Ki Tavo 5767 - Divesting from Plenty of Nothing

So there was news this week that scientists found nothing...literally. I express 'scientific method envy' and compare science vrs. belief. Finally we have a conversation about how to divest and bring a greater degree of responsibility to our country's struggles overseas. Astronomers find a Gaping Hole in the Universe I Got Plenty of Nothing CRS Report For Congress Rollingstone Article Global Policy Forum Weapons Given to Iraq are Missing New York Times - How to Make a Missile Miss Music heard on this podcast is from Magnatune and include Zemer Atik by Panacea and Yishru, Kol Haneshama, and Lech Lecha by Ya Elah. This week in Jewish History from tzemach.org. .

Ki Teitzei 5767

Shalom and welcome are the messages in the sermon this week. Also included is a reading of my piece that appeared in the Jewish Exponent. We welcomed new members at Shabbat and had a discussion about gaining a full sense of congregational membership. I have also added music this week made available through Magnatune who are making music, including the songs you hear on this podcast, available though CD and download. Music from

Mayan Ganim and Y'hi Ratzon by Ya Elah

Zemer Atik by Panacea

Shoftim 5767 - Chasing Justice

The parasha this week contains an imperative, "tzedek tzedek teerdof, justice justice you shall pursue." What does it mean to give pursuit to justice whether we we a common person or king? In the eyes of the Torah even those with the greatest stature are bound by the rules, in fact, the king must write a Torah (sometimes twice!) and carry it wherever he goes... Biblography:

Swindoll's Ultimate Book of Illustrations & Quotes

Talmudic Anthology

Book of Legends

BTW, follow this link to last week's mention of this podcast in the Jewish Exponent

Ki Tisa 5767 - Who is Killing Our Superheros? (Archive)

What is the issue with the comic book industry killing off its heros, or is there something deeper going on in our country? This sermon investigates the issues regarding the recent assassination of Captain America. What's Jewish about this? Well lets just say that one of his creators, Joe Simon, found himself sitting shiva a few months ago. BTW, follow this link to the Jewish Exponent about this podcast!

Eikev 5767 - A Visitor from Or Hadash, Anat Freund

We had a visitor from Israel this week as Anat Freund joined us at Beth David from our sister congregation Or Hadash. The following is an interview with Anat prior to Shabbat Services.

Congregation Or Hadash, the Lyons Center for Progressive Judaism in Haifa

Behar 5767

A sermon given a few months ago... If you grew up where I did, you remember playing "King of the Mountain." What happens when an old king in a strange mountain pays a visit to the beliefs and political scene of today? Some people believe in ghosts, and some ghosts might be a little more real than we were led to believe... Washington Post Article mentioned can be found here: At Herod's Site, New Hopes and Fears

This I Believe

I submitted this to thisIbelieve.org and I would encourage you to write and submit your own! We need to reclaim the idea that we have belief in our nation's discourse.

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I believe in the sacred power of doubt.

We need to doubt again, not to undermine what we know, but to find our flawed roots, which are grounded in the sacred. Doubt in a sacred context is holy. The greatest of religious leaders including Abraham and Moses had a sense of doubt that ...

Devarim 5767 - Lessons from Og

"after he had defeated Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and King Of of Bashan, who dwelt at Astaroth Edrei." (Deut. 1:4) What happens when a giant, king, and bully lingers in Jewish literature? What are the lessons we learn from Og King of Bashan? At times our might and strength are not our greatest attributes. Texts Mentioned: Tree of Souls by Howard Schwartz - wonderful eclectic collection of literature and commentary available at:

Tree of Souls

Emma Lazarus

Give Us Your Poor...

Pekudei 5765 (Archive)

Welcome to my blog/podcast! I am glad (and somewhat humbled) that you found my podcast and I hope that you find my sermons and information helpful. All published materials will have links in the podcast notes as a matter of keeping the mitzvah of quoting one's sources. If you feel that you find something that is not cited, please let me know! Listen, enjoy, and please respond publicly or privately if you are so moved. Thank you for looking and listening! Rabbi Jim This is a sermon from 2005. It is a first 'test' sermon that I had recorded for Shabbat Pekudei. I will be publishing and podcasting sermons that I find have something vital to say and hope to add recordings every two weeks or so. Thank you for listening!