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…
Shemot 5764-2004
"The Message of the Burning Bush" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Shemot, we read of G-d's revelation to Moses from the "s'neh," the burning bush.…
B’shalach 5769-2009
"Pharaoh Sends the People of Israel out of Egypt" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat B'shalach opens with a well-known verse describing Israel's dramatic exodus from Egypt. The Bible,…
Shemot 5784-2024
“The Message of the Burning Bush” (updated and revised from Shemot 5764-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shemot, we read of G-d’s revelation to Moses at…
Shemini 5764-2004
"With the Lord as Our Partner" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat Shemini, the Torah portion opens with a description of the eighth and final day of the…
Bo 5769-2009
"It's Payback Time!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the concluding chapter of this week's parasha, parashat Bo, G-d commands Moses to inform the people to sanctify the firstborn. The…
Vayeira 5772-2011
“Were Lot’s Daughters Moral or Immoral?” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeira, Abraham famously bargains with G-d in order to save the cities of Sodom and…
Bechukotai 5774-2014
“The Role of Exile in Jewish Theology” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we have noted previously (Kee Tavo 5762-2002), parashat Bechukotai is one of the two parashiot in the Torah,…
Noah 5776-2015
"Noah - A Hero of Limited Proportions " by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Noah, we read of the only living person whom G-d considered worthy of being saved…
Korach 5764-2004
"The Power of Strife" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Korach, we learn of the frightful rebellion of Korach and his followers. Whatever Korach's differences…