Sermons
One of the strangest, most difficult and at times most exciting responsibilities of being a rabbi is preparing and delivering a sermon. It is a strange form of communication, almost completely “one way,” with little opportunity for the congregation to respond or for the rabbi to know how it was received. The blank sheet of paper before beginning to write is so daunting: what should I talk about? What should I say about it? How should I say it? But looking back now over forty years of sermons, I realize that being required to stand up in front of the congregation and open my mouth and speak has forced me to think deeply about my own life, Judaism, and our world. Below are many recent sermons and some of the sermons from the past which capture important moments in my life, or the life of our community or the world.
Intimacy and Physicality
Friday night, March 24, 2023
many traditional Jews to this very day look forward to the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and the restoration of the sacrifices. I do not. But just as I missed the physicality of being together during the endless zoom gatherings of the Covid lockdown, I miss the physicality of the korbanot. The powerful intimacy that comes from being together, in the presence of fire and smoke and the pleasing fragrance of praying by cooking.
The Blessing
November 25, 2022
Before blessing our children on Friday night, we might ask them “come close and kiss me.” And take a deep breath…smelling the odor of their breath and skin, remembering all the times we have kissed them in our lives. And then we might speak their names, since speaking a person’s name can awaken our love for them. And then offer words of blessing. Love first, then bless.
What Happens When we Pray?
November 22, 2019
At these times it is best to find a quiet place, to become still and to empty our mind.... of every thought, of every argument. We empty our heart and our mind. Then, in simplicity and sincerity, we ask. We relax. We open ourselves to receive an answer.
Why We Pray in Hebrew
March 9, 2018
Some Jews walk away from our religion because they just don’t see the point of all the Hebrew. Many. For Jews who take the time and put in the work to learn, Hebrew can be a doorway, leading into a magnificent palace. But for the many Jews who do not know how to read Hebrew, the door is shut. Hebrew is a wall, shutting them out. So why do we pray in Hebrew?
Hamilton and Prayer
Yom Kippur, September 29, 2017
For many of our people, just like for Miranda’s young, scrappy and hungry Alexander Hamilton, prayer has never happened before. We do not even know exactly what prayer is, or how to do it, or whether it is still a meaningful experience in our world. These are my questions tonight, on Yom Kippur, our people’s great night of prayer.