Levi, Son of Jacob
When Levi was born, less than a year after Simeon, Leah was still struggling to win the affections of Jacob. She named her third son Levi, saying, “This time my husband will become…
Pidyon Ha’ben – Redeeming the Firstborn
“You must redeem the firstborn of a person ... when he is one month old, for the value of five silver shekels” (Numbers 18:15-16). God sanctified the firstborn male Israelites when He…
Water, Water Everywhere
Sukkot is considered the holiday on which God determines the world’s water allotment for the year to come. During the time of the Temple, the week of Sukkot was highlighted by the water…
Music – This is not your father’s Hava Nagila
Popular Jewish music has become an increasingly diverse market over the last sixty years. What was once limited to cantorial music and klezmer classics has evolved into single artists,…
Potential Energy
Parashat Kee Tavo begins by juxtaposing two important agricultural laws. First (Deuteronomy 26:1-11), the Torah instructs the Israelites to bring bikkurim, the first fruits from among the…
Vayikra 5765-2005
"The 'Sacrifice' That Lasts Forever" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald On this Shabbat, we commence the reading of the book of Vayikra--Leviticus, the third book of the Five Books of Moses. Much…
Water, Water Everywhere
Sukkot is considered the holiday on which God determines the world’s water allotment for the year to come. During the time of the Temple, the week of Sukkot was highlighted by the water…
Korach 5782-2022
“Korach’s Rebellion: Why is the Jewish Community Losing So Many of its Best and Brightest?” (updated and revised from Korach 5763-2003) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha,…
Vayikra 5783-2023
“The ‘Sacrifice’ that Lasts Forever” (updated and revised from Vayikra 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On this Shabbat, synagogues around the world, commence reading of the book…
In-House Audit
Reading news reports about financial misconduct should definitely be shocking. Alas, since it is an all-too-common occurrence, most of us merely sigh in disgust and move on with our…