Here is a selection I would make of some of my better Divrei Torah from past years that still have relevance today.
Who Knows? (5780/2019)
How the story of Esther even more than the Torah can guide us to live in a world of randomness and mortal dangers.
How Good Do I Have to Be? (5777/2016)
With assists from the Green Monster, Pesky’s Pole, Naomi Shemer and Reb Simcha Bunem.
Still Small Voices (5778/2017)
We are a community where many people have prayers they don’t reveal out loud about the difficult things happening in our lives and families. How to be there even when we don’t reveal or don’t know what those prayers are.
“Fortunate Are You, O Jewish People” — One Year Later (5785/2024)
Why Moshe’s last words are true even after October 7, 2023, and what they mean for how we look at ourselves and engage with the world.
Busy (5776/2015)
Why “Busy” has become the answer to “How are you?” and what we can do about it.
Finding Purpose and Direction (5773/2012)
Figuring out your purpose, especially in up in the air times, or transitions in life or work.
V.O.R. — Vision-Opinion Ratio (5779/2018)
Fewer superficial reactions to public things, more visions — how to find and speak about the things you are truly committed to, and quieting down about the rest.
A Jewish Leap of Faith Into Our Democracy (5783/2022)
How Jewish history and tradition make us special guardians of American democracy, and why we should embrace that role in challenging political times.
Holy Impatience (5775/2014)
Some impatience is selfish, unfair expectations. Holy impatience is rooted in love, a concern for someone else who doesn’t have the life or peace they deserve.
Right-ology: How to Be Right Better in the New Year (5783/2022)
Helping Someone Else Change (5771/2010)
No one can change someone else — but sometimes we can support other people in their changes. Starring a mitzvah in Leviticus and some social psychology research.
Long Tables, Shabbat Meals (5772/2011)
Why long tables are better than round, long meals are magical, and Shabbat creates relationships different from friendship but no less powerful.
Being Present in a Digital Age (5774/2013)
How to make people and not devices more central to our daily lives.
Look Up (5780/2019)
In a cynical age, we need to focus more on looking up to people — the everyday people in our lives, the people who need us, the best leaders we know.
Body Talk (5779/2018)
How to show others we really believe they are the image of God.