The Urban Rabbi

Love: The Antidote to Tisha B’Av

In honor of Tu B'Av, my July 25 (11 Av) sermon about love as a powerful weapon against hate.

Jul 31 • Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

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12:48

On America's 250th Birthday: Celebrating Human Beings and Humans Becoming

My first sermon for the Hamakom community. Delivered July 4, 2026 ~ 19 Tamuz 5786. An auspicious day to begin!

Jul 19 • Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

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13:30

Grateful for the Gratitude!

Some powerful moments from our farewell weekend at Beth Am!

Jul 14 • Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

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May 2026

The Irreducible Holy: In Judaism (Unlike Gravity) What Goes Up, Must Stay Up

My Sermon reflecting on the Supreme Court's recent decision re: the Voting Rights Act. Parashat Emor (May 2, 2026 ~ 15 Iyar 5786)

May 8 • Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

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1

1

14:12

A Final Stroll Through the “New Jewish Neighborhood”

An advance copy of my concluding May/June 2026 column for Jmore!

May 1 • Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

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1

April 2026

Tzara’at and Speech as Infectious Disease

My sermon from April 18, 2026 on Parashat Tazria-Metzora 5786

Apr 24 • Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

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1

14:07

Anger, Idolatry, and the Golden Calf

In my teaching from Mar. 7, 2026, I ask how we can better understand the emotion of anger, both the destructive results that can follow but also the…

Apr 19 • Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

1

18:24

Stand Tall! The Secret Behind the Prohibition Against Eating Creepy Crawly Things

Ever wonder why Jews aren't supposed to eat bugs, lizards and snakes? Here's my post-Passover sermon on a hidden message behind our obsession with…

Apr 14 • Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

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1

10:37

California Dreaming

A quick update as we prepare to head West!

Apr 14 • Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

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3

February 2026

Observance & Observation: Holy Gathering On and Beyond Shabbat

A recent Saturday with a family of gorillas in the forests of southwestern Uganda reminded me what Shabbat is all about (photos and video from Paul…

Feb 24 • Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

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1

January 2026

An Elegy for Two Neighborhood Heroes

My tribute to two beautiful individuals who contributed so very much in their lives. May their memories be for a blessing and may their legacies…

Jan 23

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5

1

December 2025

The Elusive Happy Ending

My Shabbat SERMON from Parashat Miketz. Delivered at Beth Am Synagogue in Baltimore on Dec. 20, 2025 ~ 30 Kislev 5786

Dec 21, 2025 • Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

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14:43