Shavuot 5762-2002

"Beyond the Book of Ruth: The Untold Story" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Beginning this Thursday night, May 16th and continuing through Friday and Shabbat, May 17th and 18th, Jews…

Read More

Tzav-Purim 5771-2011

“Shabbat and Purim” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This year, the festival of Purim will be celebrated throughout the world on Saturday evening, March 19th, and Sunday, March 20th (except…

Read More

Va’eira 5774-2013

“Moses, the Reluctant Prophet” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Tradition maintains that the 53 Hebrew prophets and prophetesses were generally a reluctant group of Divine servants, who were…

Read More

Matot 5774-2014

“Hakarat HaTov: Expressing Appreciation” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Matot, we read of G-d’s command to Moses to avenge the Children of Israel against…

Read More

Pinchas 5778-2018

"Pinchas the Zealot?"  by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald……

Read More

Matot-Masei 5778-2018

“Judaism and Warfare” In parashat Matot, the first of this week’s double parashiyot, Matot-Masei, we read of the great battle that Israel waged to avenge the Midianite nation for leading…

Read More

Laws and Customs of Shavuot

ShavuotLaws and Customs Table of Contents Festival Laws The Book of Ruth Customs Shavuot is a low-key, pensive holiday,…

Lech Lecha 5781-2020

“Lot, Nephew of Abram: The Promise and the Tragedy” (updated and revised from Lech Lecha 2000-5761) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Lech Lecha, we encounter…

Read More

Lech Lecha – 5760-1999

"Understanding the Rite of Circumcision" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Toward the end of this coming week's parasha, parashat Lech L'Cha, we read of the covenant of circumcision, Brit…

Read More

Chayei Sara 5766-2005

"Who Is Keturah?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, soon after Isaac marries Rebecca, we learn that the elderly Abraham marries a woman named…

Read More