The Thirteen Principles
The United States Supreme Court decides whether laws conform or do not conform to the U.S. Constitution. Similarly, the ancient sages decided and interpreted halacha, Jewish law, based on…
B’Sha’a Tova
“Mazal Tov!” This Jewish expression has, without question, crossed the societal divide and is a well-known phrase throughout the western world. And while many popular entertainers and…
Shoftim 5768-2008
"Waste Not--Want Not" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shoftim, we are introduced to the concept of Bal Tashchit, the prohibition of wanton waste and…
Devarim,Weekly Message,Genesis
Devarim 5772-2012
"The Al-mighty’s Relationship with the Nations of the World" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we have previously noted on several occasions (Devarim 5765-2005), the book of Devarim…
Eikev 5763-2003
"Is There Truth to the Notion of Spiritual Accountability?" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This coming week's Torah portion, Parashat Eikev, contains the well-known second paragraph of the…
Passover 5766-2006
"Ancient Customs in a New Light" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Due to the festival of Passover, the regular Torah reading from the book of Leviticus is not read until after the holiday.…
Eikev 5782-2022
“Is There Truth to the Notion of Spiritual Accountability?” (updated and revised from Eikev 5763-2003) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Eikev, contains…
B’sha’a Tova
“Mazal Tov!” This Jewish expression has, without question, crossed the societal divide and is a well-known phrase throughout the western world. And while many popular entertainers and…
Kee Tavo 5766-2006
"Respect for the Person and the Office" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the opening chapter of this week's parasha, parashat Kee Tavo, we read about the ritual of Bikurim -- the gift of…
Va’etchanan 5760-2000
"The Torah's Radical Approach to Parenting" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This Wednesday evening (August 9) and Thursday (August 10), we will observe Tisha b'Av, the Fast of the 9th of Av,…