Torah, To What Can I Compare Thee?
Various biblical verses and rabbinic texts compare the Torah to different natural resources to teach us about the greatness of the Torah in terms that can be readily understood. After…
Avinu Malkeinu
No prayer so thoroughly captures the Jewish people’s dual relationship with God as Avinu Malkeinu, "Our Father, Our King." While Avinu Malkeinu is a prayer widely known to be part of the…
Yitro 5765-2005
"Jethro's Advice to an Overburdened Leader" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Yitro, we learn of Judaism's remarkable openness and willingness to…
The Baal Shem Tov
Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov (literally Master of the Good Name, often referred to as the BESHT), was born in 1698, in Okop (Ukraine). While there is little record…
Avinu Malkeinu
No prayer so thoroughly captures the Jewish people’s dual relationship with God as Avinu Malkeinu, “Our Father, Our King.” While Avinu Malkeinu is a prayer widely known to be part of the…
The Divine Dwelling
In Judaism, there is a strong focus on the city of Jerusalem and the first and second Holy Temples that were built in that city. And while Jerusalem was the place God chose for His spirit…
Nitzavim 5781-2021
“Striving to Reach Heaven During the Days of Awe” (updated and revised from Nitzavim 5761-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This past Saturday night, August 28th, or early Sunday…
The Elder of Slabodka
A person who chooses to study the history of the development of the twentieth century rabbinic leadership will likely come across the name “Slabodka.” The town for which the renowned…
Free To All
On June 30, 2008, the first Jewish Treat was published. There were fewer than 50 subscribers. Today, we are proud to say, that over 4,200 people receive Jewish Treats in their inboxes…
I Am To My Beloved
The Torah verse that most epitomizes the emotion of love is: “Anee l’dodi v’dodi lee” – I am to my beloved, and my beloved is to me (Song of Songs 6:3). The ideal love relationship,…