Lech Lecha 5767-2006
"The Souls That Were Made in Haran" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Lech Lecha, the dynamic Abram (his name had not yet been changed to Abraham), enters upon the biblical scene…
Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5769-2009
"Farewell to a Great Leader" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Vayeilech, the second of this week's combined parashiot, Nitzavim-Vayeilech, Moses bids a final farewell to the…
Shoftim 5763-2003
"Astrology, Witchcraft and Spiritualism in Judaism" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's Torah portion, Parashat Shoftim, the Torah describes the vital role of the prophet. Moses…
Va’etchanan 5760-2000
"The Torah's Radical Approach to Parenting" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This Wednesday evening (August 9) and Thursday (August 10), we will observe Tisha b'Av, the Fast of the 9th of Av,…
Vayechi 5764-2004
"Can It Be a Mitzvah to Lie?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The late great Bible teacher, Nehama Leibowitz, alerts us to a major issue that appears in the narrative of this week's parasha,…
Tzav 5770-2010
"The Command" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Tzav, the Al-mighty says to Moses (Leviticus 6:2): "Tzav et Aharon v'et bah'nahv lay'mor: Zoht toh'raht…
Yitro 5763-2003
"'Proving G-d's Existence" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Yitro, in Exodus 20, we read the first of the two versions of the "Ten Commandments" that…
Terumah-Purim 5760-2000
"The Mishkan: Underscoring the Centrality of the Home in Jewish Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat Terumah, we begin a series of four parashiot…
Naso 5768-2008
"Carrying the Ark" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Naso, we learn that the completed Tabernacle was sanctified and inaugurated for its first use. In order to…
Rosh Hashana 5768-2007
"The Sounding of the Shofar" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Undoubtedly, the most moving part of the Rosh Hashana service is the sounding of the shofar, which takes place in the service soon…