Lighting The Way To Peace
The very last act performed before bringing Shabbat into the home is the lighting of the Shabbat candles. While this mitzvah is considered one of the three primary mitzvot of a Jewish…
Mezuzah: Complete Fulfillment
A mezuzah on the doorpost is a public sign of a Jewish home. If you open the decorative container of the mezuzah you will find a piece of parchment with two sets of Hebrew verses from…
Bamidbar 5781-2021
“Counting on the People of Israel" (updated and revised from Bamidbar 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As this week’s parasha, parashat Bamidbar, opens, the Jews are found in the…
Bechukotai,Behar,Weekly Message
Behar-Bechukotai 5781-2021
“The Extraordinary Mitzvah of Tzedakah--Charity” (updated and revised from Behar-Bechukotai 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Once again, this week, we read two combined parashiot…
Acharei Mot,Kedoshim,Weekly Message
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5781-2021
“Shaatnez: Understanding ‘Irrational’ Decrees” (updated and revised from Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Once again, this week, we have double…
Chol Hamoed
Most holidays in Western society last for a single day, which is often extended into the weekend. And, while most people are aware that Chanukah is celebrated for 8 days, many people are…
Biur – Burning
This year, because the first night of Passover falls on Saturday night and it is not allowed to burn Chametz on Shabbat, Bedikat Chametz, the search for Chametz takes place on Thursday…
The Four Mitzvot of Purim
This year, Purim will be celebrated beginning Wednesday evening, March 16th after sunset, and continue through, Thursday March 17th. Four mitzvot are associated with the holiday: Megillah…
The Sabbath of Remembering
This Shabbat is Shabbat Parashat Zachor, the Sabbath of Remembering. The Torah portion that is read as the Maftir (additional) portion, after the conclusion of the regular weekly Torah…
Random Acts of Kindness
An entire generation of North Americans hear the words “random acts of kindness” and immediately think of Oprah Winfrey. Without question, the queen of afternoon television has done…