Behar-Yom Ha’atzmaut 5771-2011

"A State is not Delivered on a Silver Platter" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Behar, contains many themes that pertain specifically to Eretz Yisrael, the land…

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Devarim-Tisha B’Av 5762-2002

"Judging Our People Favorably" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's Torah portion, parashat Devarim, is always read prior to Tisha b'Av, the fast of the Ninth of Av (observed on…

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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,…

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Sukkot 5775-2014

“Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov’s Observations on the Sukkot Festival” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov was one of Israel’s most prolific and acclaimed religious writers. His…

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Vayigash 5776-2015

“Joseph’s Intense Economic Policies” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayigash, Judah’s appeal to Joseph to release his brother Benjamin has a powerful…

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Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5777-2017

“Inspiring the Next Generation” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Vayeilech, the second of this week’s double parashiot, Nitzavim-Vayeilech, we read, what is to my mind, one of the…

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Vayishlach 5764-2003

"Who Was Esau?" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Vayishlach, reaches a crescendo with the dramatic encounter between Jacob and Esau. Jacob has been away from…

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Terumah 5779-2019

“The Mishkan: Underscoring the Centrality of the Home in Jewish Life” (Revised and updated from Terumah 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week’s parasha, parashat…

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Vayechi 5761-2001

"Revealing the Time of the Coming of the End of Days" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Vayechi, is the only "sealed" parasha in the Torah, meaning that there are…

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Matot-Masei 5779-2019

“Jeremiah’s Prophecy: An Ancient Message for Contemporary Times” (Revised and updated from Matot-Masei 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   This Shabbat, when parashiot Matot…

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