Can fear awaken deep gratitude? Rabbi Rotenberg recounts a frightening Space Mountain ride with his young son. In the Torah portion about Jacob and Esau, we trace Jacob's response to fear: a heartfelt prayer of humility, a decision to give away part of his wealth, and a subsequent transformation after wrestling with an angel. The episode connects those moments to Jewish practices of repentance and charity, and reminds us that fear can be a catalyst for gratitude, generosity, and meaningful change. Shabbat 12/06/25

Rabbi Rotenberg reflects on the image of Jacob’s ladder, exploring its timeless message of spiritual ascent. We are invited to consider how every step we take can bring us closer to meaning, purpose, and connection with the sacred. How can we think about the elevation of our own journeys - in mind, heart, and community?    Shabbat 11/29/25

The surprisingly interesting story about how Turkey became a kosher bird, and what it means to eat Turkey on Thanksgiving.

The Torah we learn from the animal world, and an update on Rabbi Rotenberg's personal experience with his new dog.

The release of the last living hostages from Gaza teach us true joy and what it means to hope.

A Sukkot lesson about communal responsibility.

What do we mean when we say on Rosh Hashanah that God is “king?” How can we make sense of this in the modern era.

A Lesson from a trip to Las Vegas: Teshuvah requires taking a risk.

Rabbi Rotenberg comes clean about a bad choice he made as a kid and explores different approaches to teshuvah, repentance.

What Judaism says about love, it's power, and it's eternal nature.

Rabbi Rotenberg shares an important moment from his trip to Israel, and it's relationship to Tisha B'Av.

What is this commandment to "be holy"? Is it achievable, and if so, how? 

Rabbi Rotenberg discusses Rabbi problems, along with the many historical and spiritual aspects marked during this period of the Omer, and what it all means.

How the feather and spoon ritual of clearing one's home of Chametz for Passover captures the spiritual purpose of this holiday.

Rabbi Rotenberg reflects on the power of sacrifice, as he comes to terms with having been coaxed into getting a dog.

Special guest sermon by Rabbi Keilah Lebell for BZ's Women's Shabbat! The way the Israelites came to care for the Mishkan project teaches us the power of empowerment to shape hearts and minds.

The Wilderness Tabernacle Teaches us Why Shabbat is so Special.

Moses seeks to know God, but Moses has four specific steps he must make before confronting the ultimate power of the universe. 

Clothing is treated very differently in the first two books of the Torah. What does it mean for us?

This year Parshat Terumah fell on one of the special shabbats before Passover, Shabbat Shekalim. Rabbi Rotenberg explores how the Torah readings for the two occasions offer two distinct, even contradictory reasons one would give of time or money to build community.