Sources Commentators

Abarbanel (1437-1508, Spanish statesman, philosopher and commentator) Israel Abrahams (1858-1925) Achad Ha’Am (Asher Zvi Hirsh Ginsberg, 1856-1927) AJOP (Association for Jewish Outreach…

Vayishlach 5781-2020

“The Proper and Improper use of Zealotry” (updated and revised from Vayishlach 2000-5761) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayishlach, we encounter in…

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Devarim 5781-2021

“Judging Our People Favorably” (Updated and revised from Devarim 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Devarim, is always read prior to Tisha b’Av,…

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Nitzavim 5782-2022

Nitzavim 5782-2022 “The Hidden Things Belong to G-d” (updated and revised from Nitzavim 5765-2005) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On the final day of his life, Moses gathers all the people…

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Bo 5761-2001

"The Slave Mentality" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Bo, concludes the narrative of the ten plagues by recounting the final three plagues, locusts,…

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Vayikra 5784-2024

“Parashat Zachor: 'Hating as a Mitzvah'" (updated and revised from Vayikra 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Since the festival of Purim will be celebrated this coming Saturday…

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Yom Kippur 5768-2007

"The Role of the Cantor in the High Holiday Services" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E. It was in that Temple and the First Temple that…

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Passover 5761-2001

"The Final days of Pesach - Days of Unity" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald That the Jews happened to find themselves in Egypt and were enslaved by the Egyptians was not at all coincidence.…

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Masei 5771-2011

“The Never-Ending Journey of the Jewish People” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Masei, concludes the fourth book of the Bible, the book of Bamidbar (Numbers).…

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Passover II 5773-2013

“The Final Days of Passover: A Call For Modesty in Jewish Life” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The Midrash, in Shemot Rabba 23:5, speaks of a purported conversation between G-d and Israel…

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