Shoftim,Weekly Message

Shoftim 5775-2015

“Idolatrous Trees and Unqualified Judges” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shoftim, we learn of the prohibition of planting forbidden trees and erecting…

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Chukat,Weekly Message

Chukat 5778-2018

"The People of Israel are Taught to be More Independent" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Chukat, opens with the laws of the פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה, Parah Adumah, the…

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Acharei Mot,Weekly Message

Acharei Mot 5779-2019

“The Forbidden Relationships Work Both Ways” (Revised and updated from Acharei Mot 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week’s parasha, parashat Acharei Mot, we…

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Jewish Treats

Picking Up Pigskin

The Jewish dietary laws prohibit Jews from eating any food products derived from animals that do not have both split hooves and chew their cud. It is a not uncommon assumption that Jews…

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Jewish Treats

Boy or Girl

In Leviticus 12, God commands Moses to tell the Israelites that when a woman bears a son she is considered to be niddah (state of marital separation when a woman has her menstrual cycle)…

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Jewish Treats

The Miracles of the Temple

The Jewish liturgy is filled with reminders of how we should mourn the loss of the Holy Temple, with prayers asking God to return the Holy Temple to us. While it is common knowledge, from…

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Jewish Treats

When Funerals Are Forbidden

Any man who is a patrilineal descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses, is deemed to be a kohain, a member of the priestly family of Israel. Aaron and his sons were called upon by God to…

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Jewish Treats

Picking Up Pigskin

The Jewish dietary laws prohibit Jews from eating any food products derived from animals that do not have both split hooves and chew their cud. It is a not uncommon assumption that Jews…

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B'shalach,Weekly Message

B’shalach 5781-2021

“G-d: The Source of Sweetness” (updated and revised from B’shalach 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat B’shalach, immediately after the splitting of…

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Tazria,Weekly Message

Tazria 5782-2022  

“Tzaraat—The Spiritual-Dermatological Disease” (updated and revised from Tazria 5763-2003)   by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Tazria, as well as parashat…

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