Rabbi Jim‘s Podcast

Shelak L'kha - To Do's and Why Do's

This Torah portion contains the passage that leads many Jews to wear a tallit.  Much of our religious life is represented by 'to do's,' but true meaning is found in our 'why do's.'  Why does one wear a tallit?  Why do people find so much meaning in doing certain rituals and what happens when we confuse 'to do' and 'why do?'

B'Ha'alot'kha - Kaddish or Healing Jewish Rifts?

Recently it was reported in the Jerusalem Post that the former president of Yeshivah University spoke on saying Kaddish for the non-Orthodox movements.  Unfortunately it seems that it might be the wrong prayer to utter since Kaddish is a generic pray that is made specific depending on certain additions.  Perhaps he meant El Malei Rachmin, or did he.  I actually recited Kaddish De-Rabbanan as I finished the STAR program Good to Great.  I wish that this program was the paradigm for everyone in the Jewish community.  One based on respect and encouraging all to strive for the best that will build our entire Jewish community.

Shabbat B'Midbar - The Power of a Number

Shalom and thank you for joining me.  This week Jews around the world begin reading the Book of Numbers, however the name of the book in Hebrew is B'Medbar, which roughly translates as "in the desert."  I am going to focus on those Numbers this week, but not on the census taken in the Torah.  Rather, I want us all to focus on those times and moments when we are the ones who make a difference. Please check out G-dcast each week for a summary of the Torah Portion!

Shemini - Holy, Holy, Holy,...But What Does That Mean?

Holiness is a word that we associate with sacred places, but there is a problem.  Why does this word make us uncomfortable?  Why are things that we though secular being treated as holy and why do people attempt to trade the holy as if it were something secular, mundane, and regular?

Vivian Silver Part II - Difficult Borders and Neighbors

This is the continuation of the sharing Vivian did with us on the bus as we went to the Negev.  Here she shares what it means to work for an institution that works for peace while living on the border with Gaza during the last war.

The Meaning of a Miracle - Pesach 5769

Recently several people have decided to explain miracles through natural events in history.  What does this do to our idea of the miracles in the Passover story?  What happens when we decide that the miracle is not up to nature, but to human determination?  Please listen and learn.

Understanding Israeli-Arab Issues: Vivian Silver Part I

Shalom and thank you for joining me.  About a month ago I was in Israel learning about Israeli-Arab issues.  This recording is the first of two of the story and issues shared with us by Vivian Silver.  Vivian made Aliyah in the 1970's and lives on a kibbutz on the border of Gaza.  Clearly her perspective is one that lends clarity and teaches us what it means to try to find an answer to the conflicts both within Israel and with her neighbors.  NOTE: this recording was made on a bus and is not the best, however I think that the story you will hear will help you better understand one of the many complex issues we never see in the mainstream press. Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues

The Club Sandwich Generation - Rabbi Richie Address Part 2

Part II of Rabbi Address

The Club Sandwich Generation - Rabbi Richie Address Part I

Beyond the sermons I post here, I also like to include the speakers who come to Beth David to present and teach us about their core issues.  Rabbi Richie Address works for the URJ  (Union for Reform Judaism) and is Director of Jewish Family Concerns.  His department deals with the multitude of issues impacting the family.  What are the costs and strains being experienced by the Club Sandwich generation and why do so many Baby Boomers feel like the toothpick (with the cellophane on top) holding it all together?  [NOTE: This recording and Part II are only part of Rabbi Address' talk.]

Ki Tissa 5769 - Engraving and not, two messages ... a contradiction?

This week we look at the possible contradictions between the Torah Ex. 20 and Ex. 34.  What happens when the Torah tells us to do, and not do the same thing?  While this sermon is somewhat complicated, its semantics are exceeded by its message to us at this time.