Eikev 5774-2014

“No Reason to Glory!” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Eikev, is filled with common sense wisdom. The many insightful observations found in parashat Eikev…

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Observance and Prayer Outline

Passover Observanceand Prayer Outline The Seder night, when family and friends gather together to commemorate our redemption…

The Heel and the Parachute

The title of this week’s parashah, Eikev, is one of the more difficult parashah names to properly translate. The word eikev connotes the word “therefore,” so the opening three words of…

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The Heel and the Parachute

The title of this week’s parasha, Eikev, is one of the more difficult parasha names to properly translate. The word “eikev” connotes connotes the word “therefore,” so the opening three…

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Kee Tavo 5781-2021

“A Contemporary Interpretation of an Ancient Reproof” (updated and revised from Kee Tavo 5762-2002)   This coming week’s parasha, parashat Kee Tavo, is one of two parashiot in the…

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Fathers and Time

Of the three patriarchs, the one with the briefest of appearances and the fewest mentions in the Biblical verses is certainly Isaac, son of Abraham and father to Jacob. A Talmudic passage…

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Haazinu-Sukkot 5779-2018

“The Challenges of Poverty and Wealth” by Ephraim Z. Buchwald   In this week’s parasha, parashat Haazinu, we read the beautiful song that Moses sang to the Jewish people on the final…

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The Milkman and So Much More

Born in Bavaria, but raised from the age of six in America, Nathan Straus made a fortune as the co-owner with his brother of Macy’s Department Store and the Abraham and Straus Department…

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Laws and Customs of Shavuot

ShavuotLaws and Customs Table of Contents Festival Laws The Book of Ruth Customs Shavuot is a low-key, pensive holiday,…

Jews and War

The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) is one of the world’s top fighting forces. This is not so surprising when one recalls that the Bible is filled with references to military might. Even…

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