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…
Bechukotai,Behar,Weekly Message
Behar-Bechukotai 5773-2013
"The Value of a Woman" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Bechukotai, the second of this week’s double parashiot, Behar-Bechukotai, we learn of the laws of valuations--the practice…
Pinchas 5773-2013
“The Lesson of the Broken Vav” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Pinchas, we learn the identities of the two defiant people who committed an act of public…
Vayishlach 5767-2006
"The Lonely Patriarch" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayishlach, the memorable confrontation between Jacob and Esau takes place, a confrontation that is…
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…
Bereshith,Weekly Message,Genesis
Bereshith 5776-2015
“Seth--Adam and Eve’s Little-Known Son” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Bereshith, murder is introduced to the world, and the first instance of fratricide is…
Noah 5782-2021
“The ‘Myth’ of the Great Flood” (updated and revised from Noah 5762-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Noah, the story of the flood, is a truly-intriguing Torah portion. Secular…
Noah 5783-2022
“The Story of Noah--Fact or Fantasy?” (updated and revised from Noah 5763-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week’s Torah portion, parashat Noah, that features the famous…
Pinchas 5783-2023
“The Conundrum of Pinchas: Do His Actions Set an Unacceptable Precedent?” (updated and revised from Pinchas 5764-2004) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Pinchas,…
Vayakhel 5765-2005
"Bezalel's Artistic Legacy" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Vayakhel, is one of the few instances (cf. parshat Ki Tisah, Exodus 31:1-6) in which the Torah…