Haazinu 5765-2004
"Judging Others Favorably and its Impact on Our Own Judgment" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming Shabbat is known in the Jewish calendar as Shabbat Shuva--the Sabbath of Return. It…
Re'eh,Weekly Message,Deuteronomy
Re’eh 5766-2006
"Adding or Subtracting" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Re'eh is a rich and colorful parasha that contains 55 mitzvot, 17 positive and 38 negative. Among the most intriguing of the…
Vayeira 5767-2006
"Choosing The Right Neighbors" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayeira, we learn that after 23 years of residing in the area of Elonei Mamrei near Hebron…
Mikeitz 5769-2008
"Measure for Measure" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In ancient civilizations, it was not uncommon for legal systems to practice what is known as Lex Talionis, an eye for an eye or measure for…
Kee Tisah 5766-2006
"The Role of Aaron and the Golden Calf" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The central focus of this week's parasha, parashat Kee Tisah, is the episode of the Golden Calf. Moses had ascended…
Shelach 5765-2005
"Bread Alone" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As the name of the parasha, "Shelach lecha"--send for yourself, indicates, this week's parasha focuses on the 12 scouts that were sent by the…
Chukat-Balak 5769-2009
"The Ultimate Value of Human Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On this Shabbat, throughout the diaspora, a double Torah portion, Chukat-Balak, is read. In Israel, however, only the…
Va’etchanan 5764-2004
"The Dialectic of Body and Soul" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Va'etchanan, we encounter several weighty and significant texts. Among the most prominent…
Chayei Sarah 5778-2017
“Who is Eliezer the Damascan?” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, we read of the death and burial of Sarah, the betrothal and marriage of…
Vayishlach 5778-2017
“The Tragic Death of Mother Rachel” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayishlach, we learn of the untimely and tragic death of Mother Rachel as she was…