The Author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Jewish Treats presents a brief biography of René Samuel Cassin (October 5, 1887 – February 20, 1976), the author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Nobel Peace Prize winner…

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A Memorial in the United States

When the cornerstone for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. was laid in October 1988, there were those who wondered why the country needed a Holocaust museum.…

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Vayeishev 5768-2007

"The Seduction of Joseph" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayeishev, Joseph is brought down to Egypt and sold by the Ishmaelites to Potiphar, one of…

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Tu b’Shevat

Tu b'ShevatNew Year for Trees Tu b’Shevat is a rabbinical, not biblical holiday. In fact, it is first…

Vayishlach 5760-1999

"The Massacre of Shechem, Can it be Justified?" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald As this week's parasha, parashat Vayishlach commences, Jacob prepares for the fateful confrontation with his…

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Shoftim 5767-2007

"The King of Israel: The Privileged and Obligated Monarch" By Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Shoftim, we read the biblical statement regarding appointing a king in Israel. The…

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Her Son Hur, His Grandson, and His Actions!

On the 15th of Tammuz, we observe the yahrzeit (anniversary of the day of death) of Hur, a relatively unsung hero from Biblical times, who was the first Jew to die al Kiddush Hashem,…

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First On The Court

Born in 1856, in Louisville, Kentucky, Louis Dembitz Brandeis was the child of European immigrants who maintained a minimal Jewish identity. However, his maternal uncle, Lewis Dembitz,…

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B’ha’alot’cha 5766-2006

"With G-d as our Guide" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Beha'alotecha, we are told that the travels of the ancient Israelites in the wilderness were…

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Yom Ha’atzmaut 5760-2000

"Being Judged by a Different Yardstick" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This coming week we celebrate Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. Yom Ha'Atzmaut occurs on the fifth of Iyar, which,…

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