Sukkot 5772-2011
“The Meaning of Sukkot: Insights of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888) was a rabbi, statesman, philosopher and leader of…
Shemot 5773-2012
“The Role of Exile in Jewish History” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shemot, the book of Exodus opens with the story of the people of Israel’s enslavement…
Korach 5774-2014
“Aaron Stops the Plague” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Korach, we read of the dramatic rebellion of Korach, Datan and Abiram, and their…
Sukkot 5775-2014
“Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov’s Observations on the Sukkot Festival” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov was one of Israel’s most prolific and acclaimed religious writers. His…
v’Zot Habracha-Simchat Torah 5776-2015
“The Confluence of v’Zot Habracha and the Holiday” (originally posted in 5770-2009) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The festival of Simchat Torah, the rejoicing with the Law, is one of two…
Kee Tisah 5779-2019
“The ‘Vengeful’ G-d” (Revised and updated from Kee Tisah 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Kee Tisah, we read of the infamous episode of the Golden…
Va’etchanan 5779-2019
“The Torah’s Radical Approach to Parenting” (Revised and updated from Va’etchanan 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This past Saturday evening (August 10th) and Sunday…
Toledot 5780-2019
“A Lesson from Jacob and Esau: Understanding and Accepting Differences” (Updated and revised from Toledot 5760-1999) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha,…
Vayeishev 5770-2009
"Joseph in Prison: The Commentators Fill in the Details" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald It's hard to believe that the story of Joseph and his brethren could become any more exciting. It…
Vayeishev 5780-2019
“The Coming of Age of Joseph: from Lad to Bechor” (edited and revised from Vayeishev 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayeishev, we are…