Explore every episode of the podcast B’nai Zion Podcast

What does it mean that human beings cannot be as patient as ChatGPT? Rabbi Rotenberg explores what it means to strive for virtue - and specifically strive to be more patient human beings - in the age of AI.

 

9/21/2026

At a service where vows are front and center, Rabbi Rotenberg explores what we learn about the power and danger of promises from three moments in the book of Joshua.

 

9/20/2026

The Jewish people have lived through countless tragedies and learned what it means to laugh in the face of darkness. What role does humor have in overcoming trauma?

 

9/13/2026

Reflecting on the trauma that was 9/11, Rabbi Rotenberg explores the place trauma and darkness holds in creation.

 

9/12/2026

There are many ways one might justify offensive Torah verses. Rabbi Rotenberg explores different possibilities, why each explanation ultimately falls short, and why that matters.

00:00 Gotcha Video Setup 00:58 Facing Offensive Verses 02:14 Approach 1 Symbolic Reading 04:32 Approach 2 Historical Context 07:05 Approach 3 Numbers Argument 08:18 Why Small Parts Matter 11:41 Highlight Torahs Good 15:40 No Perfect Answers 16:18 Keep Studying Torah 17:40 Shabbat Shalom Closing   Shabbat morning 7/11/26  

Celebrating the Fourth of July, Rabbi Rotenberg uses some of George Washington's writings to explain what America's founding father would say about the actions of Pinchas.

00:00 America 250 Opener 01:21 Washington on Religious Freedom 02:21 Pinchas and Jealousy 04:14 Leaders Set the Tone 05:30 Last Resort Justice 07:41 Passing the Baton to Joshua 10:04 Humility in Leadership 11:23 Kiddush and Apple Pie 13:25 Closing Shabbat Shalom Shabbat Morning 7/4/26

Guest Rabbi, Jonathan Hodson, shares the story of Rabbi Rotenberg and himself seeking out the mythical creature, "The Mothman," and the lessons learned from that trip.

 

April 25th, 2026 Shabbat morning

What it means to act on the lessons learned from illness before we get sick.

 

April 18th, 2026 Shabbat morning

The least known, but most important rule about keeping kosher for Passover, and it's spiritual significance.

Shabbat morning March 28th, 2026

In this Women’s Shabbat d’var Torah, Rabbi Keilah Lebell explores the fine line between humility and self-erasure.

Shabbat Morning March 21st 2026

On Passover we use a special name for God, "the place." How does this idea of God change the way we an relate to God at synagogue, in our homes, and in our hearts? 

 

From Shabbat morning 3/14/26

Rabbi Rotenberg explores the moments we act out of fear instead of faith - and what it takes to pause, reset, and choose differently.

 

 

From Shabbat morning March 7th, 2026

A deep dive into three teachings about the Tabernacle, each with a message about the nature of building sacred space.

What does it take to maintain a peace full society, and what does it take to build one? Rabbi Rotenberg compares building peace to the two types of monetary gifts in the Torah, and shares how one man exemplified what it means to go above and beyond.

Receiving the Torah is only the first step in realizing its true purpose.

When is patience a virtue and when is it quietly keeping us stuck? Rabbi Rotenberg explores the difference between good patience and bad patience. He shares thoughts on knowing when to wait, when to move, and that the first step in leaving Egypt is admitting that you've had enough.

In response to recent antisemitic articles in our local paper, Rabbi Rotenberg reflects on the deeper roots of antisemitism through the lens of the Torah’s first antisemitic libel—Pharaoh’s words in the book of Exodus.

This episode reframes the Joseph narrative to highlight Judah: his role in saving Joseph, his moral awakening with Tamar, and the rabbinic midrash of Nachshon leaping into the sea.

Rabbis debate why Judah's tribe received kingship, pointing to leadership qualities shown in diplomacy, accountability, and the willingness to take courageous risks for the future.

Shabbat 12/13/25

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. 

How and if to make sense of this terrible tragedy.      

Anticipating the intense emotions surrounding the release of 33 hostages taken by Hamas, Rabbi Rotenberg asks what to do when our hearts are broken.

Being snowed in, and services held over zoom, Rabbi Rotenberg offers a sermon all about snow!      

A close look at the four times the special shalshelet trope appears in the Torah.

The cryptic blessing to Jacob, and the work we're called to do as the people of Israel.

Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph are all masters of deception. When is it ok to deceive others, and why? 

What's really at the core of Isaac's preference for Esau, why does Rebecca prefer Jacob, and what does it mean for us?

Where we can go depends on who we're with.    Shabbat sermon 11/23/2024   For more information about B'nai Zion Congregation visit our website at www.bzcongregation.com     

We see the world with more than our eyes. A story about the LA Eruv, characters throughout the book of Genesis, and tools for us to train our hearts and minds to see what our eyes can't.    Shabbat sermon 11/16/24     For more information about B'nai Zion Congregation visit our website at www.bzcongregation.com 

We may not be able to change the headlines, but that doesn't mean there is nothing we can do. 

 

 

For more information about B'nai Zion Congregation visit our website at www.bzcongregation.com