Bereshith 5770-2009
"The Hebrew Story of Creation and Its Parallels Among Other Civilizations" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Bereishith, is the very first parasha of Genesis, the…
Rosh Hashana-Nitzavim 5769-2008
"Hewers of Wood and Drawers of Water" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Nitzavim is always read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana, and with good reason. It contains a host of vital…
Opinion Point
Be careful not to diminish another's joy in an achievement or new item by inadvertently making comparisons such as: "Oh, I did that last year!" or "I got the same thing for $20 less."
Personality Assessment
The fifth chapter of Pirkei Avot/Ethics of the Fathers contains an interesting assortment of lists. Among these listings are several that compare, contrast and label human behavior…
Sources Commentators
Abarbanel (1437-1508, Spanish statesman, philosopher and commentator) Israel Abrahams (1858-1925) Achad Ha’Am (Asher Zvi Hirsh Ginsberg, 1856-1927) AJOP (Association for Jewish Outreach…
Shemini 5772-2012
"The Efficacy of the Oral Code" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shemini, we read of the first full sacrificial service that was offered in the recently…
A Modern Scholar
Respected Biblical commentators are rarely university professors or radio personalities. Even less common is for them to be female. And while her credentials were certainly not the norm,…
Bereshith 5767-2006
"Pardes--the Four Levels of Understanding Torah" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald The Talmud in Chagiga 14b, tells the story of four great scholars, Ben Azai, Ben Zoma, Acher, and Rabbi Akiva,…
Bereshith 5761-2000
"How to Achieve Immortality the G-dly Way" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald What could be more perfect or more harmonious for the human being, created by G-d, than to reside in the Garden of…
Bereshith 5760-1999
"How to Achieve Immortality the G-dly Way" Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald What could be more perfect or more harmonious for the human being, created by G-d, than to reside in the Garden of Eden…