Oh Evil Tongue
“Come and see how great the power of an evil tongue is! Whence do we know [its power]? From the spies: for if it happens thus to those who bring up an evil report against wood and stones,…
Here’s To The Positive
In Pirkei Avot/Ethics of the Fathers, Rabbi Joshua is quoted saying, “An evil eye (ayin harah), the evil inclination (yetzer harah) and hatred of other people (sinat habree’ot) remove a…
The Cedar and the Hyssop: A Lesson In Humility
One of the most challenging categories of Jewish law is the one associated with lashon harah (which literally means ‘evil speech’ and refers to gossip and slander). What is assumed…
Oh, Evil Tongue
“Come and see how great the power of an evil tongue is! Whence do we know [its power]? From the spies: for if it happens thus to those who bring up an evil report against wood and stones,…
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…
Will I Forgive You for What!?
An ancient Jewish proverb declares: “Loose tongues are worse than wicked hands.”Truth is, people do the most damage to each other with their mouths. Things done with our hands, such as…
Fasting
If you were unable to fast or unaware that today was a fast day, take a few minutes and make a taanit dibur, a fast of words, during which one refrains from speaking any lashon harah…
Weekly Message,Tazria,Metzorah
Tazria-Metzorah 5783-2023
“The Torah’s Home Security System” (updated and revised from Tazria-Metzorah 5766-2006) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Metzorah, the second of this week’s double parashiot, we…
Judaism,Rosh Hashana Resources,Yom Kippur ResourcesLiteracy,Yom Kippur,Judaism,Rosh Hashana
The 10 Days
The 10 DaysOf Repentance As the sun sets on Yom Kippur, the judgment handed down on Rosh Hashana is sealed. Known as the Ten…
Articles,Purim Origins and Customs,Purim,JudaismLiteracy,Judaism,Purim
Hanging Haman: The Commandment to Wipe Out Amalek
Hanging Haman:The Commandment to Wipe Out Amalek “The army of Amalek swooped down from behind them, attacking the old…