Ignominy in Italy

During the long course of Jewish history, one of the multiple tools used to harass and persecute Jews was public humiliation. One such disgraceful public humiliation was the practice of…

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Haazinu-Yom Kippur 5784

"A Propitious Time for Repentance" (updated and revised from Haazinu 5762-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z Buchwald On Sunday night, September 24th, the tenth of Tishrei, Jews, the world over,…

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Bereshith 5782-2021

“Being Moral in an Increasingly Immoral Environment” (updated and revised from Bereshith 5763-2002) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Bereshith, is one of the…

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Yom Kippur 5781-2020

“The Thrill of Coming Home” (updated and revised from Yom Kippur 5761-2000) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald There are certain times in the Jewish calendar that are regarded as propitious…

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The Four Mitzvot of Purim

This year, Purim will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 10th (beginning Monday evening, March 9th, after sunset). Four mitzvot are associated with the holiday: Megillah Reading - Book of…

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Yom Kippur 5780-2019

“How does G-d Judge?” (Updated and revised from Yom Kippur 5760-1999) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   How does one prepare for Yom Kippur, the Day of Judgment, when our deeds of the…

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Selichot

In addition to the unique prayer services of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the High Holidays are known for one other service: selichot. A collection of religious poems and…

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The Source of Leadership

Great leaders can move mountains...or at least, masses of people. Ezra the Scribe was just such a leader, and it was his charisma and wisdom that inspired the Jews to leave their…

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Yom Kippur 5761-2000

"The Thrill of Coming Home" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald There are certain times in the Jewish calendar that are regarded as propitious times. For instance, the month of Nisan (which…

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