The Disputation of Paris
The month of June in the year 1240 C.E. was not a good time for the Jews of Europe. The trouble began with a Jewish apostate named Nicholas Donin. Wanting, perhaps, to prove his loyalty…
Learning From Mistakes
One of the takeaway messages of the tragic actions taken by the Jewish people while engaging in the sin of the Golden Calf is to not act abruptly without first considering the weighty…
Vayeira 5782-2021
“The Akeida” (updated and revised from Vayeira 5762-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald It took quite a few years of preparing weekly Torah messages for me to work up the courage to…
The Disputation of Paris
The month of June in the year 1240 C.E. was not a good time for the Jews of Europe. The trouble began with a Jewish apostate named Nicholas Donin. Wanting, perhaps, to prove his loyalty…
Your Jewish Life Coach
Do you have a life coach? For those unfamiliar with the term, life coaches work to help their clients determine and achieve their personal goals. While life coaching as a profession in…
Study the Weekly Portion
Set aside time each week to explore the weekly Torah portion to uncover the deeper meaning behind the text and the fascinating takeaway messages for daily living. As an example, there is…
Accepting Wisdom
“Ben Zoma said: Who is wise? An individual who learns from all people, as it is said (Psalms 119:99): ‘From all those who taught me, I gained understanding’” (Pirkei Avot/Ethics of the…
Kee Tavo 5783-2023
"The Centrality of Joy in Jewish Observance" (updated and revised from Kee Tavo 5764-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Kee Tavo is one of the two parashiot in the Torah that…
Your Jewish Life Coach
Do you have a life coach? For those unfamiliar with the term, life coaches work to help their clients determine and achieve their personal goals. While life coaching as a profession in…
Kedoshim 5784-2024
“Living a Truly Sanctified Life” (updated and revised from Kedoshim 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The message of this week’s parasha, parashat Kedoshim, is surely one of the…