A d’var Torah (divrei, pl.) is literally a “word of Torah.” It is a lesson or sermon interpreting a text. Since 2012, I have been honored to read divrei Torah at Shabbat services at Congregation B’nai Tzedek in Potomac, Maryland. B’nai Tzedek, affiliated with the Conservative Movement, has been my spiritual anchor since 2004.

Each d’var Torah below corresponds to the parashah (portion) of the week. In synagogues all over the world, Jews are all reading the same parashah the same week. It takes the entire year to read all 54 Torah portions.

Pinchas (5772), 2012. Stand up and be counted.

Ki Tavo (5773), 2013. Turning inward and preparing for what’s next.

Re’eh (5774), 2014. The power of two: Blessings or curses.

Va’et’chanan (5775), 2015. Finding comfort in prayer.

Pinchas (5776), 2016. The power of ritual.

Matot-Masei – 5777, 2017. I offer an emotional recounting of praying in a shul in Warsaw.

Va’et’chanan (5778), 2018. Finding comfort in payer (again) and also on the freeway of love.

Matot-Masei (5779), 2019. Gratitude in the the big and small things.

Vayeishev (5779) on the 40th anniversary of my becoming Bar Mitzvah, 2019, where I offer a deeply personal journey of faith.

Ekev (5780), 2020. My mother is an angel? Nu? Also, what does Adonai your God ask of you? Not that much really. All that God asks is this: Fear Adonai your God, to walk only in God’s paths, to love God, and to serve Adonai your God with all your heart and soul.”

Balak (5782), 2022. Finding God in Berlin (and Masada, and Jerusalem, and a family cemetery in Lomza, Poland).

Chukat (5783), 2024. Here, I celebrate the life of Miriam. The Torah spills more ink on what to do with the blood of a red cow than on the death of Miriam, a giant among the Jewish people. She is dead and buried in just six words. Is she like Miley Cyrus who has to buy her own flowers and carve her own name in the sand? Or, can we give her her due?