In Their Memory
Perpetuate the memory and the accomplishments of those who tragically perished during the Shoah by strengthening our commitment to Jewish learning and our connection to Jewish…
Weekly Message,Tazria,Metzorah
Tazria-Metzorah 5780-2020
“Challenging the Stereotypes: Purity and Impurity in Childbirth” (edited and revised from Parashiot Tazria-Metzorah 5761-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the first of…
Legal to Take?
With all the discussion during the last few years, about the legalization of marijuana, one might have wondered what is the traditional Jewish perspective regarding its use. It is, not…
What is Isru Chag?
The day after vacation is often a time of distraction and disorientation. The same is true of the day following a religious holiday, especially after one of the week-long holidays…
Chag Ha’matzot
The name of the holiday “Passover,” is an allusion to God’s passing over the Israelite households during the plague of the firstborn, a critical element in the events of the Exodus. The…
Shemini 5780-2020
“The Responsibilities of Leadership” (Revised and updated from Parashat Shemini 5761-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the opening chapters of this week’s parasha, parashat…
Can You Count to 49?
There is a commandment (Leviticus 23:15) to count the 49 days that immediately follow the first night of Passover and, on the 50th night, to celebrate the holiday of Shavuot. This period…
Four Cups of Wine
Like almost all festival meals, the Passover Seder begins with Kiddush, the sanctification of the day. On Passover, however, the first cup of wine is followed by three more…
Searching For Chametz
On Passover, Jews are commanded to get rid of all "chametz" (leaven) which may be in their possession. It is not unusual to begin cleaning and scrubbing the home weeks before the…
Development of the Haggadah
On Passover night we are commanded "v'hee'ga'd'ta l'vincha" and you shall tell, the story of the Exodus to your children. (Notice the shared root of hee'ga'd'ta and Haggadah.) The…