Mikeitz 5779-2018
"Why Did You Treat Me So Badly?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Mikeitz, Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream and is appointed Viceroy of all Egypt. The…
Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5766-2006
"The Torah's Not-So-Secret Formula for Peace" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald It is rather remarkable how often the weekly Torah portion contains a textual reference that seems to allude to…
Rosh Hashana 5780-2019
“The Judgment of Ishmael, and its Contemporary Implications for all of G-d's Creatures” (Updated and revised from Rosh Hashana 5761-2000) Because of Rosh Hashana, instead of…
Vayishlach 5768-2007
"The Birth of Benjamin, The Death of Rachel" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayishlach, we read of an occasion that should have been a most joyous event in…
Devarim 5781-2021
“Judging Our People Favorably” (Updated and revised from Devarim 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Devarim, is always read prior to Tisha b’Av,…
Vayigash 5782-2021
“The Virtues of Assimilation” (updated and revised from Vayigash 5762-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayigash, the dramatic story of Joseph and his…
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…
Tisha b'Av,Weekly Message,Devarim
Devarim-Tisha B’Av 5762-2002
"Judging Our People Favorably" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's Torah portion, parashat Devarim, is always read prior to Tisha b'Av, the fast of the Ninth of Av (observed on…
B’shalach 5768-2008
"Finding Meaning in the Lost Verses" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald There can hardly be a more dramatic or more exciting parasha than parashat B'shalach! The parasha features the actual…
Shelach 5768-2008
"We Were like Grasshoppers in Our Eyes" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shelach, Moses sends twelve representatives, one from each tribe, to scout the land…