Matot,Weekly Message

Matot-Masei 5761-2001

"Setting Our Priorities Straight" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming Shabbat, the double parashiot Matot and Masei will be read in synagogues throughout the world. In parashat…

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Naso,Weekly Message

Naso 5773-2013

"Playing the Subordinate Role: A Lesson from the Levites" by Rabbi Ephaim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Naso, continues the description of the role of the Levites, whose…

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Rosh Hashana,Weekly Message,Haazinu

Haazinu-Rosh Hashana 5775-2014

“Invoking Heaven and Earth” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald It seems so natural to always begin the New Year with parashat Haazinu, the majestic song of Moses, which he sang moments before…

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Masei,Weekly Message,Matot

Matot-Masei 5780-2020

“Setting Our Priorities Straight” (updated and revised from Parashiot Matot-Masei 5761-2001) This coming Shabbat, the double parashiot, Matot and Masei, will be read in synagogues…

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Jewish Treats

Perceiving Change

Parashat Ha’azinu, also called Shirat Ha’azinu, the poem or song of Ha’azinu in Hebrew, is literally laid-out in the Torah scroll as a poem, not as the typical prose one finds. Moses’…

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Jewish Treats

A Pleasant Song Composed

The liturgy of the synagogue has developed over the span of Jewish history. Some parts of the service  – such as the Shema, which is a recitation of Biblical text - originate from…

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Jewish Treats

Jews in Norway

Jewish history books do not contain many references to the Jews of Norway, because until 1851 it was actually illegal for Jews to settle and live there. Actually, from 1687 until 1814,…

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Jewish Treats

Rahel the Poetess

The poetry of Rahel has been described as both lyrical and sad, reflecting the challenges of her relatively  brief life and her passion for the Land of Israel. Rahel Bluwstein Sela…

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Jewish Treats

The Entertainer

Judging by the jokes included in so many movies about marriage, there is a great deal of pressure on the best man to present a toast that not only honors the groom, but is entertaining as…

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Jewish Treats

A Pleasant Song Composed

The liturgy of the synagogue has developed over the span of Jewish history. Some parts of the service– such as the Shema, which is a recitation of Biblical text – originate from Judaism’s…

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