Vayechi 5766-2006

"The Passing of a Patriarch" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayechi, we read of the passing of the patriarch Jacob. The Torah tells us that as soon as…

Read More

Emor 5762-2002

"Death and the Kohanim--the Children of Aaron" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Emor, the parasha begins with the laws of the sanctity of the Kohanim,…

Read More

Emor 5775-2015

“Distractions, Distractions!” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Emor, opens with an extensive series of laws regarding the conduct of the Kohanim, the…

Read More

Vayishlach 5774-2013

"The Death of Deborah, Rebecca’s Nurse" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayishlach, after the traumatic rape of Dina in Shechem and the revenge at the hands…

Read More

Emor 5780-2020

“Death, and the Kohanim--the Children of Aaron” (updated and revised from Parashat Emor 5762-2002)   by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   In this week’s parasha, parashat Emor, the…

Read More

To Dust You Will Return

Death is a big business, and the business of the funeral industry is geared toward comforting the mourner and helping them accept the passing of their loved ones. Therefore, most funeral…

Read More

Chayei Sara 5764-2003

"Who Was the Matriarch Sarah?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, the matriarch Sarah, Abraham's wife, passes away. The authors of the Midrash,…

Read More

Chayei Sarah 5784-2023

Urgent message: Given the most challenging situation in Israel at this time, I urge all to pray for the bereaved families, the hostages, the missing and the many casualties. Please try…

Read More

Chayei Sarah 5768-2007

"O Captain, My Captain" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Although the name of this week's parasha is Chayei Sarah, literally, "the life of Sarah," the parasha does not really concern itself…

Read More

Bamidbar 5769-2009

"Bringing Order to the Camp of Israel" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Bamidbar, the people of Israel are instructed to build a camp in the wilderness. G-d…

Read More