Lech Lecha 5762-2001

"Understanding Ishmael" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Lech Lecha, we encounter the birth of Abrams's oldest son, Ishmael. The bible, in Genesis 15, tells…

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What to do on Chanukah

What to do on ChanukahChanukah is unique amongst the holidays in that it has only a single mitzvah - publicizing the miracle…

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,…

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Vayigash 5762-2001

"The Virtues of Assimilation" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Vayigash, the dramatic story of Joseph and his brothers comes to a rousing conclusion.…

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Vayikra 5770-2010

"Do Leaders Corrupt, or are They Corrupted?" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Vayikra, we learn of the varied sacrifices and offerings that were brought…

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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…

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The 10th Cow

Parashat Chukat opens with the very cryptic and inexplicable law of the Red Heifer. This completely unblemished red calf, with no more than two non-red hairs, and that had never been…

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Tzav 5764-2004

"Making the Menial Hallowed and Mundane Holy" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Tzav, continues parashat Vayikra's theme of sacrifices. The laws of the…

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Tzav 5762-2002

"Understanding Shabbat Hagadol" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week, we read the second parasha of the book of Leviticus, parashat Tzav. This Shabbat, the Shabbat which…

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Va’eira 5764-2004

"The Names of G-d and Their Meanings" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Va'eira, G-d speaks to Moses and says to him (Exodus 6:2): "Ah'nee Hashem," I…

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