What’s in the Book: the Twelve Prophets – Amos
Amos was a herdsman of Tekoa, who prophesied during the reign of Kings Jeroboam II of Israel and Uzziah of Judea. Amos’ initial prophecies declared that the neighboring city-states…
What’s in the Book: the Twelve Prophets – Joel
The Book of Joel is a mere four chapters long. The prophet Joel lived in the Kingdom of Judea and prophesied during the reign of the wicked King Manasseh (c. 600 B.C.E.). Joel’s prophecy…
What’s in the Book: The Twelve Prophets – Hosea
The prophet Hosea lived during the reign of King Jeroboam II over the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He was also a contemporary of the prophet Isaiah. God instructed Hosea to marry the…
Re’eh 5764-2004
"Identifying a True Prophet" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Re'eh, the Torah warns the Jewish people not to follow false prophets. The difficulty with this…
Uncategorized,Re'eh,Weekly Message
Re’eh 5782-2022
“Identifying a True Prophet” (updated and revised from Re’eh 5764-2004) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Re’eh, the Torah warns the Jewish people not to…
Balak 5765-2005
"Bilaam, Prophet to the Nations" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The Jews and their philosophers have long been troubled by the concept of "Chosenness." So uncomfortable were the people and…
Shoftim 5778-2018
"Identifying the True Prophet" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shoftim, we, once again, encounter the difficult challenge of identifying the true prophet who…
Balak 5772-2012
“Balaam, the Sorcerer, Becomes a Prophet” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Balak, we read of how Balak, the Moabite king, hired the pagan prophet, Balaam, to…
B’ha’alot’cha 5768-2008
"The Gift of Spiritual Potential" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In response to Moses' complaint that he cannot bear the burden of the people of Israel alone, G-d instructs Moses to select…
Honoring King
“The Hebrew prophets belong to all people because their concepts of justice and equality have become ideals for all races and civilizations. Today we particularly need the Hebrew prophets…