Vayigash 5762-2001
"The Virtues of Assimilation" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Vayigash, the dramatic story of Joseph and his brothers comes to a rousing conclusion.…
Lag Ba’Omer,Holidays,Judaism,Holiday ResourcesJudaism,Literacy
Lag Ba’Omer
Lag Ba'Omer33rd of the Omer Table of Contents Lag Ba’Omer Rabbi Akiva – Hero and Martyr Rabbi Shimon…
Shelach 5767-2007
"The Ma'ah'peelim: Forcing Their Way Into the Promised Land" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shelach-Lecha, we read about the "Ma'ah'peelim," the ancient…
Yom Kippur 5766-2005
"Sharing the Blanket" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The Rambam (Maimonides, the great Jewish philosopher, codifier and physician, 1135-1204), states in The Laws of Teshuva, chapter 3, that…
Vayishlach 5771-2010
“The Power of a Vow” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the second part of this week’s action-packed parasha, parashat Vayishlach, we read of Jacob’s return to Beth-El, the scene of his…
Emor 5772-2012
"Lessons from a Priest’s Wanton Daughter" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Emor, highlights the special status of the Kohanim, the priests, in the community of…
Pekudei 5774-2014
“Moses Retires from Center Stage” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Pekudei, the moment for which the People of Israel have long been waiting, has finally…
Naso 5774-2014
“The Gift that Keeps on Giving” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Naso is hardly a simple parasha. It contains many themes, of both major and of seemingly lesser significance.…
Va’etchanan 5774-2014
“The Prediction of Return” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Va’etchanan, is always read after the Fast of the 9th of Av and after the conclusion of the period…
Kee Tavo 5763-2003
"Watch out for Laban, he's more dangerous than Pharaoh!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Kee Tavo is an "ominous" parasha. It is one of two Torah portions that features the…