Written for Their Sons

Imagine traveling forward 500 years in time and discovering multitudes of people studying something you had written for your child. Imagine walking into a bookstore and finding multiple…

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Re’eh 5784-2024

“Adding or Subtracting” (updated and revised from Re’eh 5766-2006) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Re’eh is a rich and colorful parasha, that contains 55 mitzvot--17 positive and 38…

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Re’eh 5766-2006

"Adding or Subtracting" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Re'eh is a rich and colorful parasha that contains 55 mitzvot, 17 positive and 38 negative. Among the most intriguing of the…

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What Are Tefillin?

The common translation of tefillin is “phylacteries,” which is a Greek word meaning amulet. “And you shall bind them [the words that I command you today] for a sign upon your arm, and…

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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…

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Vayechi 5785-2025

“The ‘Sealed’ Torah Portion” (updated and revised from Vayechi 5765-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwaldֹ This week’s parasha, parashat Vayechi, is unique among all the parashiot of the…

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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…

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The Book of Lamentations

On Tisha b’Av, the ninth of Av, one of the ways that the Jewish people demonstrate their mourning over the loss of both Holy Temples is by refraining from Torah study that brings pleasure…

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Pinchas 5784-2024

"Whatever Became of the Sons of Korach” (updated and revised from Pinchas 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald   This week’s parasha, parashat Pinchas, opens with the Al-mighty’s…

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It’s About the Relationship

Marriage, in the context of Jewish law, is a practical agreement by which, at its most basic, a woman is guaranteed support and protection, and a man has the prospect of progeny to carry…

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