B’shalach 5764-2004

"The Malbim Teaches the Lessons of the Manna" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat B'shalach, the freed Israelite slaves experience the fullness of G-d's…

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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…

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Passover 2024-5784

Urgent message: It’s hard to believe that after all these months since the murderous attack on October 7th, that the most challenging situation in Israel continues, not only with little…

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Record the Memories

If there are Holocaust survivors in your family or in your community, make sure to speak with them and record their stories. While it is impossible to compare the trials and tribulations…

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Does the Torah Support the Belief in Extraterrestrial Life?

This Saturday, July 2nd, is celebrated, worldwide, as “World UFO Day.” On July 2, 1947, W.W. “Mac” Brazel discovered a metallic object on his Roswell, NM ranch. The U.S. government…

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Lech Lecha 5782-2021

“Understanding Ishmael” (updated and revised from 5762-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   In this week’s parasha, parashat Lech Lecha, we encounter the birth of Abram’s (his name…

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Naso 5780-2020

The Ordeal of the Sotah -- Barbaric or Enlightened? (Revised and Updated from Parashat Naso 5761-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z.  Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, Naso, with 176 verses, is…

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Bamidbar 5779-2019

“The Trials of Being a Public Figure” (Revised and updated from Bamidbar 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   In this week’s parasha, parashat Bamidbar, we encounter a…

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Vayishlach 5779-2018

“Jacob’s Challenging Life” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   As this week’s parasha, parashat Vayishlach, opens, we find a fearful patriarch Jacob sending a huge tribute of flocks and…

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Fathers and Time

Of the three patriarchs, the one with the briefest of appearances and the fewest mentions in the Biblical verses is certainly Isaac, son of Abraham and father to Jacob. A Talmudic passage…

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