Shemot 5767-2007
"The Etiquette of Evil" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Shemot we learn of the cruel enslavement of the Jewish people by Pharaoh and the Egyptians. The Torah relates that after…
Bereshith 5762-2001
"The Origins and Meanings of Evil" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Especially in light of the World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist bombings, human beings all over the world are…
Vayeira 5776-2015
“The Trials of Abraham” by Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Vayeira, includes at least three of the ten trials that Abraham faced during his life. Pirkei Avot, Ethics of…
Yom Kippur 5780-2019
“How does G-d Judge?” (Updated and revised from Yom Kippur 5760-1999) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald How does one prepare for Yom Kippur, the Day of Judgment, when our deeds of the…
A Guest For How Long?
The mitzvah of hachnassat orchim is so important that it is listed as one of only six mitzvot for which “a person eats the fruit in this world, while the principal remains for that person…
Kee Teitzei 5769-2009
"Ben Sorer U'Moreh--The Rebellious Son" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Kee Teitzei, we read of the unusual case of the "Ben Sorer U'moreh," the disobedient…
Vayeitzei 5783-2022
“The Transformation of Jacob” (updated and revised from Vayeitzei 5763-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Vayeitzei, continues the fascinating story…
Metzorah,Weekly Message,Tazria
Tazria-Metzorah 5783-2023
“The Torah’s Home Security System” (updated and revised from Tazria-Metzorah 5766-2006) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Metzorah, the second of this week’s double parashiot, we…
Kee Tisah 5770-2010
"Moses Wrestles with G-d" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Ki Tisah, we read of the fateful episode of the Golden Calf. Moses goes up the mountain for forty…
Yom Kippur 5760-1999
"How does G-d Judge?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald How does one prepare for Yom Kippur, the Day of Judgment, when our deeds of the past year, and especially the past week, are evaluated…