Bereshith 5774-2013
"Beginning at the Beginning–-Again" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we begin the study of the Torah once again, it seems appropriate to attempt to clarify the purpose of Torah study. The…
Shelach 5774-2014
“Do Not Follow After the Desires of Your Heart and Eyes” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald While the major theme of parashat Shelach concerns the scouts who return from the Land of Israel with…
Vayeira 5776-2015
“The Trials of Abraham” by Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Vayeira, includes at least three of the ten trials that Abraham faced during his life. Pirkei Avot, Ethics of…
Devarim 5760-2000
"Judaism's Unique Views on Justice and the Justice System" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week, we begin reading Deuteronomy, the final book of the five books of the Torah.…
Weekly Message,Judaism,Devarim,All Audience,Literacy
Devarim 5779-2019
“Judaism’s Unique View of Justice and the Judicial System” (Revised and updated from Devarim 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week, we begin reading the Book of…
Va’eira 5765-2005
"Teaching a New Reality About Divine Power Through The Ten Plagues" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Va'eira, we learn of the first seven plagues that…
Bo 5767-2007
"Learning by Teaching" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the opening verse of parashat Bo, G-d tells Moses that He has hardened the hearts of Pharaoh and his servants, so that G-d will be…
Pekudei 5771-2011
"The Meaning of the Priestly Vestments" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Pekudei, opens with a full accounting of the precious metals-–gold, silver and…
Can’t Move That
Guarding Shabbat is a Biblical commandment that requires a fair bit of knowledge to perform correctly. The act of guarding Shabbat requires that a person refrain from all creative works…