Vayishlach 5767-2006

"The Lonely Patriarch" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayishlach, the memorable confrontation between Jacob and Esau takes place, a confrontation that is…

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The Story of the Exodus

The Story of the Exodus Table of Contents Going Down to Egypt Slavery Redemption From Slavery What exactly were the ten…

Behar-Yom Ha’atzmaut 5771-2011

"A State is not Delivered on a Silver Platter" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Behar, contains many themes that pertain specifically to Eretz Yisrael, the land…

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Shemot 5779-2018

“Getting the Jews Out of Egypt-–Two Views” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shemot, we read of the enslavement of the Jews in Egypt by Pharaoh, as well as the…

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The Leper’s Leap of Faith

There is a fascinating story in the Second Book of Kings about an enemy general, an Israelite prophet and a greedy servant. The Aramean General Na’aman suffered from the biblical disease…

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Vayeitzei 5760-1999

"Who is the Real Enemy?" Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayeitzei, we read of Jacob's flight from Beersheva, to escape his brother Esau's wrath. Jacob runs, as…

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Toledot 5761-2000

"The Ancient Origins and Practice of Anti-Semitism" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Toledot, we read that Yitzchak follows in the footsteps of his…

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B’shalach 5769-2009

"Pharaoh Sends the People of Israel out of Egypt" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat B'shalach opens with a well-known verse describing Israel's dramatic exodus from Egypt. The Bible,…

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Shemot 5767-2007

"The Etiquette of Evil" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Shemot we learn of the cruel enslavement of the Jewish people by Pharaoh and the Egyptians. The Torah relates that after…

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Passover 1 5779-2019

“The Passover Seder–Focus on the Children” (Revised and updated from Passover 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As is the usual practice on all Shabbatot that coincide with Jewish…

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