The Urban Rabbi

Point Higher

Saying you're sorry is not weak, it's brave, and essential for healthy relationships in a healthy society (Kol Nidre Sermon 5786)

12 hrs ago • 

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

22:13

Pray for the Welfare of the Government…

My Yom Kippur Day 5786 sermon on tyranny, the first amendment, and our republic under threat

12 hrs ago • 

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

1

1

27:04

September 2025

Yes, and…

How to (and How Not to) Talk About Israel After Two Years of War

Sep 25 • 

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

4

31:24

Learning (All of Us) Together is What Jewish Communal Moments are About

On the Eve of Rosh Hashanah, let's recommit ourselves to broad, deep, and inclusive Torah learning (Sermon from Parashat Nitzavim, September 20, 2025 …

Sep 21 • 

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

2

16:37

Tools of Justice

No, people don't kill people as easily and often without the ubiquitous American gun. But there are plenty of tools which are morally neutral and…

Sep 15 • 

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

3

August 2025

There is No B'racha for a Gun: America’s Idolatry Problem

The calamity of gun worship is that people become objects while guns become gods.

Aug 31 • 

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

1

15:10

SHABBAT SERMON: Hesed, The Best "Kind" of Loyalty

The instinct to cry "not in my name" has its pitfalls, especially when it causes real pain to friends, family, and/or our fellow Jews. Parashat Re'eh…

Aug 24 • 

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

5

2

16:25

A Report from Maryland’s 7th Congressional District

We urban dwellers don't appreciate being attacked or maligned. Instead we insist on the power of cities to unite and inspire.

Aug 21 • 

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

6

Eicha: How (the Hell) Did We Get Here?

On Tisha B'Av, my sermon reflecting on our saddest Jewish day and our grief and anger surrounding the situation in Israel and Gaza.

Aug 3 • 

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

6

2

17:44

July 2025

Political Endorsements? No Thank You!

The Trump Administration says we can endorse candidates from the pulpit now. But this is a terrible idea.

Jul 13 • 

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

3

16:09

June 2025

It’s Okay to Have Nice Things

Lazily reinforcing old stereotypes about Baltimore only serves to undermine essential progress.

Jun 19 • 

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

7

1

The World Needs (Good) Teachers

"What is the job of a teacher?" This is the essential question rarely being asked amidst the important discourse around academic freedom and Trump's…

Jun 17 • 

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

16:52