The Month of Cheshvan
Today is Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, the first day of the month of Cheshvan, which is the eighth month of the Hebrew calendar. (The count of the months begins with Nisan.) During the month of…
Judge Fairly
The Sixth Amendment in the United States’ Bill of Rights (requiring a speedy trial, impartial jury, confrontation of witnesses, council, etc) is, perhaps, one of the most difficult to…
Shemot 5785-2025
“In the Merit of Miriam” (updated and revised from Shemot 5765-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwaldֹ In this coming week’s parasha, parashat Shemot, we learn of the oppression of the…
The Month of Mar-Cheshvan
Today and tomorrow are Rosh Chodesh, and tomorrow is the first day of the month of Mar-Cheshvan, which is the eighth month of the Hebrew calendar (the count of the months begins with…
Bereshith 5785-2024
“P’roo Ur’voo--Jewish Attitudes Toward Procreation” (updated and revised from Bereshith-Simchat Torah 5765-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald For some parents, the greatest gift in life…
Vayeilech,Nitzavim,Weekly Message
Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5784-2024
“Choosing Life” (updated and revised from Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald There’s something very distinctive about the arrival of the Jewish New Year. Whenever…
Shoftim 5784-2024
“The Extent of Rabbinic Authority” (updated and revised from Shoftim 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shoftim, 41 new Torah laws, are…
Does the Torah Support the Belief in Extraterrestrial Life?
Today, July 2nd, is celebrated worldwide as "World UFO Day." On July 2, 1947, W.W. "Mac" Brazel discovered a metallic object on his Roswell, NM ranch. The U.S. government claimed that it…
Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel
The death of Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel, which occurred in 70 CE, on 20 Sivan, is part of the well-known and tragic episode of the deaths of the Ten Martyrs, that is included in the liturgy…