The Urban Rabbi

"...the irreducible holy is iterative. Our tradition may say we must only go up, but there are forces pulling us down; they are strong and they are determined. To live a “consecrated, dedicated life,” to achieve an aspirational society, requires stamina, patience, and a belief in a higher purpose for this complicated world." Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

At first blush, Tazria-Metzora is about illness. It includes a detailed description of this enigmatic disease called tzara’at. similar to, but not the same, as leprosy. But the Rabbis suggest the whole detailed description of tzara’at is not about only about disease but discourse, malicious speech. Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

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This year as we come out of Egypt, let’s also consider Torah's invitation to come up from Egypt. And in this symbolic aliyah , consider how we might stand tall. Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

SHABBAT SERMON: "I’m a sucker for a happy ending. I once convinced my family to watch Shawshank Redemption arguing it was a “feel-good movie.” It’s now a running joke in our family, because Shawshank isn’t really a feel-good movie. It’s a lot of pain, tension, and suffering – with moments of humor and grace. But it has a happy ending – kind of the ultimate happy ending. And that’s what I remembere...

This is my Shabbat sermon from Parashat Vayishlach delivered Dec. 6, 2025 (16 Kislev 5786). What we might do when faced with the erosion of basic democratic norms and civil legal protections, when minority populations are subject to leaders or citizens from the majority making blanket claims about their own insecurity while asserting blanket condemnations of entire populations? What are some non-v...

My Shabbat SERMON from Parashat Vayera at Beth Am Synagogue on Nov. 8, 2025. It's one thing to decide how much of ourselves to reveal to others. But how often do we assume we know exactly who others are and what they might become? Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

Today is Yizhak Rabin’s 30th yahrzeit. This past Shabbat, I played a song I wrote 29 years ago after the first year anniversary. Below is the text, including my introductory remarks, song lyrics, and a brief coda. Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

This is my SERMON from this past Shabbat, Hol HoMoed Sukkot 5786. ~20 hostages are supposed to return in the early hours Monday morning. The remains of up to 28 others as well. Could growth and healing await beyond Tuesday’s 2nd yahrzeit of nearly 1200 souls? Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

Saying you're sorry is not weak, it's brave, and essential for healthy relationships in a healthy society Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

My Yom Kippur Day 5786 sermon on tyranny, the first amendment, and our republic under threat Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

Rosh Hashanah Day 1 sermon for 5786, delivered at Beth Am Synagogue in Baltimore on Sept. 23, 2025. (Gap at Min 6:40 is where I carry the Israeli flag from the edge to the center of the bima). Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

On the last day of his life, after 120 years and 40 years of wandering, Moshe Rabbeinu gathers the people together on the banks of the Jordan River to offer them a final teaching. אַתֶּ֨ם נִצָּבִ֤ים הַיּוֹם֙ כֻּלְּכֶ֔ם “You stand today,” he says to them, “all of you, before the LORD your God” (Deu. 29:9). Rashi in 11th Century France explains we know it was his last day on earth because it says ha...

Reflecting on the horror of last week's Annunciation Church and School Shooting, this is the text of my Shabbat sermon on Parashat Shoftim. “O God, if You would only slay the wicked—you murderers, away from me! — who invoke You for intrigue, Your enemies who swear by You falsely.” These words come from Psalm 139 (v. 19-20), the Psalm which was recited at the beginning of Mass at the Annunciation C...

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner tells the following story in his book Invisible Lines of Connection : “A light snow was falling and the streets were crowded with people. It was Munich in Nazi Germany. One of my rabbinic students… told me her great-aunt, Sussie, had been riding a city bus home from work when SS storm troopers suddenly stopped the coach and began examining the identification papers of the pa...

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This past week's sermon on Parashat Balak. Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

This is my sermon from June 14, 2025 (Parashat B’haalotkha 5785) reflecting on Professor Maura Finkelstein’s dismissal from Muhlenberg College, where my daughter is a current student. Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

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In my sermon from the Torah portion Shemini, I discuss the mysterious deaths of Nadav and Avihu (Lev. 10:1-3). The enigmatic story reminds us that the moral complexity of powerful stories helps us refine our moral sensibilities and find moral clarity when confronting injustice in our world. Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

My Shabbat message from Passover Day 7, the day we commemorate our passing through the Sea and the possibilities of freedom. Get full access to The Urban Rabbi at www.theurbanrabbi.org/subscribe

This was my most asked-about and commented-on sermon during the past High Holy Day cycle. It was disappointing when we learned there had been a technical difficulties, and the recording failed. I often find myself thinking often about this dismissive and harmful false claim about Jews and our relationship with the land of Israel. If it speaks to you and/or you think it would be useful in helping o...