Vayikra 5777-2017
“רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ --A Sweet Savor unto the L-rd” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald With this week's parasha, parashat Vayikra, we begin reading the third book of the Torah, Vayikra, which is…
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5769-2009
"Blood–the Essence of Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Tzav, the Torah declares rather definitively, (Leviticus 7:26), "V'chol dahm lo toch'loo b'chol mohsh'voh'taychem,"…
Bereshith 5765-2004
"'Naked' Means More than Naked" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald How exciting to be starting over again! At the earliest opportunity, the year 5765 is ushered in with the reading of the Torah,…
Bereshith 5784-2023
Urgent message: Given the most challenging situation in Israel at this time, I urge all to pray for the bereaved families, the hostages, the missing and the many casualties. Please try to…
Re’eh 5775-2015
“The Prohibition of Eating the Limb of a Live Animal” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Re’eh, contains 55 mitzvot--17 positive and 38 negative commandments. It…
Mishpatim 5779-2019
“From Seemingly Obscure Laws, the Torah Teaches the Ultimate Value of the Sanctity of Human Life”(Revised and updated from Mishpatim 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming…
Mishpatim 5760-2000
"From Seemingly Obscure Laws, the Torah Teaches the Ultimate Value of the Sanctity of Human Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat Mishpatim, which…
Vayikra 5764-2004
"Insights for the Contemporary Soul from Ancient 'Primitive' Rituals" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald With this week's parasha, parashat Vayikra, we begin reading the Book of Leviticus, which,…
Shoftim 5777-2017
“Judaism and the Principle of the Sanctity of Human Life” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Shoftim, focuses, for the most part, on the principle of the…
Weekly Message,Bechukotai,Behar
Behar-Bechukotai 5767-2007
"Reward and Punishment" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In the second of this week's double parashiot, Behar-Bechukotai, we encounter the very challenging concept of Divine reward and…