B’ha’a’lot’cha 5785-2025
“With G-d as our Guide” (updated and revised from B’ha’a’lot’cha 5766-2006) By Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat B’ha’a’lot’cha, we are told that the travels of…
Shavuot 5785-2025
“Appreciating Shavuot” (updated and revised from Shavuot 5766-2006) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Of all the major holidays and festivals of the Jewish people, the one that is least known…
Searching for Chametz
On Passover, Jews are commanded to get rid of all “chametz” (leaven) which may be in their possession. It is not unusual to begin cleaning and scrubbing the home weeks before the holiday.…
Oh My Gosh! Passover Is Coming!
It’s our wake-up call. As yesterday was Rosh Chodesh Nissan, the first day of the month of Nissan, Passover is less than two weeks away. The intensive physical and emotional preparations…
Ein Gedi
No tour of Israel can be complete without a visit to the Judean desert. Aside from climbing the famed fortress of Masada, you can actually float in the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth,…
Random Acts of Kindness
An entire generation of North Americans hear the words “random acts of kindness” and immediately think of Oprah Winfrey. Without question, the former queen of afternoon television has…
Terumah 5785-2025
“G-d’s Love Letters” (updated and revised from Terumah 5767-2007) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Terumah, we begin a series of five parashiot that deal,…
Bo 5785-2025
“Opening their Hearts, so they can Hear” (updated and revised from Bo 5765-2005) In this coming week’s parasha, parashat Bo, the ten plagues come to a dramatic conclusion with the final…
Celebrating with a Parade
Name a Jewish celebration, that is not a wedding, but includes a chuppah, music and dancing. The answer is a Hachnassat Sefer Torah, literally “Welcoming the Torah Scroll,” the ceremony…