Articles,Tisha b'Av Resource,JudaismLiteracy,Judaism

Kinnot

KinnotMany devastating events took place on the 9th of Av. This is why the Jewish people consider it the saddest day on the…

Weekly Message,Vayeitzei

Vayeitzei 5782-2021

“From Ish Tam to Business Mogul: The Transformation of Jacob” (updated and revised from Vayeitzei 5762-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeitzei,…

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Noah,Weekly Message

Noah 5764-2003

"Using Technology in the Service of the A-lmighty" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Noah, we read the well known story of the Tower of Babel. The Torah…

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Weekly Message,Kee Tavo

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…

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Weekly Message,Vayeitzei

Vayeitzei 5766-2005

"Deceit, More Deceit and Teraphim" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Vayeitzei, recounts the entire 20 year sojourn of Jacob in the house of Laban. After meeting…

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Vayeitzei,Weekly Message

Vayeitzei 5761-2000

"The Role of Mother Rachel in Jewish History" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Vayeitzei, we encounter Jacob as he is fleeing from Canaan, the home of his…

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Weekly Message,Vayeitzei

Vayeitzei 5768-2007

"How Dare You Accuse Me!" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald After working 20 years for Laban, Jacob and his wives decide that it is time to leave Laban and his family. They see no future for…

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Weekly Message,Eikev

Eikev 5774-2014

“No Reason to Glory!” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Eikev, is filled with common sense wisdom. The many insightful observations found in parashat Eikev…

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Jewish Treats

Brotherly and Sisterly Love on Tisha B’av

The theme of “unconditional love” can be found in the Tisha b’Av kinnot, as the ideal that was absent during our history’s lowest moments. In kinnah number 26, the author, Elazar HaKalir,…

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Jewish Treats

Placing A Veil

One of the most beautiful customs of a traditional Ashkenazi wedding is the ceremony known as the badeken. The term badeken* is Yiddish for covering, as this is the moment when the bride…

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