Emor 5775-2015

“Distractions, Distractions!” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Emor, opens with an extensive series of laws regarding the conduct of the Kohanim, the…

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Haazinu-Rosh Hashana 5775-2014

“Invoking Heaven and Earth” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald It seems so natural to always begin the New Year with parashat Haazinu, the majestic song of Moses, which he sang moments before…

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Mikeitz 5776-2015

“Joseph’s Bold Advice to Pharaoh-–Revisited” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Mikeitz, Joseph, the Hebrew slave boy, is hurried from the dungeon to stand…

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Emor 5777-2017

“Communicating a Vital Message Clearly” by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Emor, contains 63 mitzvot-- 39 negative and 24 positive. Parashat Emor ranks second, after…

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Devarim 5778-2018

“The Final Rebuke"   With this week’s parasha, parashat Devarim, we begin to read the fifth and final book of the Torah. The book of Deuteronomy is known in rabbinic literature as…

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Noah 5780-2019

“The Vital Importance of Truthful Judgment” (Updated and Revised from Noah 5760-1999) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   There is a fascinating and enlightening narrative recorded in…

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Vayechi 5779-2018

“Jacob Blesses His Grandchildren” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Vayechi, is a parasha that contains an abundance of blessings. In the early part of the…

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Mikeitz 5780-2019

“Who is Osenath the wife of Joseph?” (Updated and revised from Mikeitz 5760-1999)   by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Mikeitz, Joseph interprets Pharaoh's…

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Tetzaveh 5780-2020

“The True Story of Purim” (updated and revised from Tetzaveh 5761-2001)   by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week’s parasha, parashat Tetzaveh, speaks of the fashioning of the…

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Shemini 5771-2011

“The Death of Aaron’s Sons: The Midrashic Perspective” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Shemini, speaks of the “eighth day” of the Tabernacle consecration…

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