Bamidbar 5761-2001
"Continuity Through Family Structure" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Bamidmar, G-d instructs Moshe to count the Jewish people. Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki…
Kee Teitzei 5760-2000
"Polygamy, Illegitimacy and Punishing the Innocent" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Kee Teizei, is the parasha that contains more mitzvot than any other parasha…
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…
Terumah-Purim 5760-2000
"The Mishkan: Underscoring the Centrality of the Home in Jewish Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat Terumah, we begin a series of four parashiot…
Bereshith 5785-2024
“P’roo Ur’voo--Jewish Attitudes Toward Procreation” (updated and revised from Bereshith-Simchat Torah 5765-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald For some parents, the greatest gift in life…
Paying the Pledge
It is easy to pledge money to an organization. There are an astounding number of well-intentioned non-profits that send mailings or solicit donations over the phone or by email. There are…
I Am To My Beloved
The Biblical verse that most epitomizes the emotion of love is: “Anee l’dodi v’dodi lee” – I am to my beloved, and my beloved is to me (Song of Songs 6:3). The ideal love relationship,…
Educating American Girls
When Vichna Kaplan (1913–1986) arrived in America in 1937, her experiences confirmed the country’s reputation as a place where Jewish religious life was in danger. This was particularly…
Va’etchanan 5784-2024
“The Jewish Attitude Toward Intermarriage” (updated and revised from Va’etchanan 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Va’etchanan, is chock-full…
Mourning Jerusalem I: A Brief History of the First Temple
Next Monday night and Tuesday (August 12th and 13th), Jews the world over will be observing the fast of Tisha b’Av. It is on this day of the Hebrew calendar that the Jewish people mourn…