Re’eh 5765-2005

"The Sanctity of Land and its Implications" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the topics discussed in this coming week's parasha, parashat Re'eh, is the sanctity of the Land of Israel.…

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Kee Teitzei 5768-2008

"The 'Mitzvah' of Divorce" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we have previously noted, parashat Kee Teitzei contains the largest number of mitzvot of any parasha in the Torah. According to…

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Lech Lecha 5762-2001

"Understanding Ishmael" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Lech Lecha, we encounter the birth of Abrams's oldest son, Ishmael. The bible, in Genesis 15, tells…

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Chayei Sara 5762-2001

"Raising Jewish Children in a Challenging Environment" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, begins with the death of Sarah. Less widely known…

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Devarim 5763-2003

"The Gentle Reproof" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week, we begin reading the fifth book of the Torah, known as Deuteronomy, or Devarim in Hebrew. The book of Devarim is also called…

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Vayeishev 5763-2002

"Judah Emerges as the Leader of Israel" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, Vayeishev, presents the opening chapter of one of the great human sagas--the story of Joseph and…

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Judaism vs. Hellenism

Judaism vs. Hellenism Why did the interaction of the Greeks and the Jews create such problems? What was there about Hellenism…

Tzav 5770-2010

"The Command" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Tzav, the Al-mighty says to Moses (Leviticus 6:2): "Tzav et Aharon v'et bah'nahv lay'mor: Zoht toh'raht…

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Bo 5764-2004

"The More Things Change..." by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Bo, the enslavement of the Jewish people comes to a dramatic conclusion with the tenth…

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The Seder

The Sedar The highlight of Passover is the Seder, and for many, the Seder evokes powerful childhood memories. But what exactly…