Kee Tisah 5772-2012
"The Preeminence of Shabbat" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Kee Tisah, we learn, among other things, of the preeminence of Shabbat, the Sabbath Day.…
Tetzaveh 5774-2014
“The Choshen–the Breastplate of the High Priest” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Tetzaveh, focuses primarily on the priestly vestments, the garments worn by the…
Acharei Mot 5774-2014
“Prelude to Holiness” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The name of this week’s Torah portion, Acharei Mot, literally means “in the aftermath of the deaths of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Abihu.”…
Chukat 5774-2014
“The Inscrutable Statutes” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Chukat opens with the well-known and deeply inscrutable law of the Red Heifer (cow). In Numbers 19:2,…
Eikev 5760-2000
"Feast or Famine - What Judaism Has to Say About Food" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Eikev, the Torah dwells in part on the specialness of food. In…
Eikev 5780-2020
“The Intermarriage Conundrum” (updated and edited from parashat Eikev 5761-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The opening verses of this week’s parasha, parashat Eikev, conclude the…
Weekly Message,Kedoshim,Acharei Mot
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5764-2004
"The Jewish Attitude Toward Sexuality" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Both of this week's parashiot, Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, contain extensive instructions regarding forbidden marriages…
Emor 5765-2005
"Priests and Death: An Unusual Relationship" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Emor, continues the theme of holiness from last week's parasha, parashat Kedoshim,…
Mishpatim 5768-2008
"Showing Sensitivity to the Helpless and the Downtrodden" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the 53 mitzvot that are found in parashat Mishpatim (23 positive and 30 negative) are a series…
Behar,Weekly Message,Bechukotai
Behar-Bechukotai 5770-2010
"Making a Reckoning" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Behar, the first of this week's double parashiot-– Behar-Bechukotai, the Torah teaches a remarkable law intended to protect…