Shoftim 5760-2000
"War, the Jewish Community and Jewish Family Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shoftim, we learn in great detail about the extensive preparations…
Vayeishev 5763-2002
"Judah Emerges as the Leader of Israel" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, Vayeishev, presents the opening chapter of one of the great human sagas--the story of Joseph and…
Emor 5769-2009
"The Highest Mitzvah of All!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Emor, the Torah delineates the strict rules for maintaining the absolute purity of the…
Behar,Yom Ha'atzmaut,Weekly Message
Behar-Yom Ha’atzmaut 5768-2008
"The Incredible Yovel--The Jubilee Year" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Behar, we learn about the Yovel, the Jewish Jubilee year, which was celebrated every…
Korach 5762-2002
"The Origin of the Big Lie" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's Torah portion, parashat Korach, we read of Korach and his rebellion against G-d, Moses and Aaron. Although…
Bereshith 5778-2017
“The Torah Promotes the Work Ethic” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Bereshith, after six days of creating the world, G-d rested on the seventh day, blessed it and designated it…
Emor 5780-2020
“Death, and the Kohanim--the Children of Aaron” (updated and revised from Parashat Emor 5762-2002) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Emor, the…
Don’t be Quarrelsome
Aaron, the first High Priest of the Jewish people, was renowned for his efforts to make peace between his fellow Jews ( "Be among the disciples of Aaron, love peace and pursue peace..."-…
Territorial Strife
The sages wisely noted in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers 4:1) that a truly wealthy person is one who is happy with his/her lot. Alas, dissatisfaction and the sense of being entitled…
World Food Day
It is a fundamental Jewish belief that in the era of the Messiah, the world will be transformed into a state of perfection. As stated by Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (Rambam, Maimonides - 12th…