Kee Teitzei 5774-2014
“Restoring Lost Possessions--Revisited” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the 74 commandments (47 negative and 27 positive) that are found in parashat Kee Teitzei is the mitzvah of…
Chayei Sarah 5775-2014
“Are Marriages Made in Heaven?” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, we read of the death and burial of Sarah, and of Abraham’s concern in his old…
Kedoshim 5782-2022
“Giving Proper Reproof” (updated and revised from Kedoshim 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Kedoshim, we encounter the well-known Biblical dictum,…
Kedoshim 5768-2008
"Establishing a Truly Ethical Society: Honesty in Business" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Kedoshim is renowned for its many revolutionary ethical pronouncements. It is surely…
Kedoshim 5763-2003
"Giving Proper Reproof" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Kedoshim, we encounter the well-known Biblical dictum recorded in Leviticus 19:17: "Lo tis'nah…
Kee Tisah 5763-2003
"Reverence for Learning in Jewish Tradition" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Kee Tisah, we read of the fateful sin of the Jewish people with the…
Bamidbar 5768-2008
"Moses: A Spiritual Father" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the third chapter of parashat Bamidbar we are told of the progeny of Moses and Aaron and about the appointment of the Levites…
Mishpatim 5775-2015
“Injuring a Fellow Human Being” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the 63 mitzvot that are found in this week’s parasha, parashat Mishpatim, are the fundamental laws regarding personal…
Vayechi 5777-2017
“The Passing of the Last of the Patriarchs” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Vayechi, is the final parasha of the book of Genesis. In this parasha, Jacob, the…
From Bandit to Scholar
Few people famous for their Torah learning have as colorful a background as Rabbi Simon ben Lakish, who is frequently referred to in rabbinic literature as “Reish Lakish.” Before…