B’shalach 5771-2011
"Avoiding the Philistines" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat B’shalach, G-d leads the People of Israel out of Egypt in a most dramatic manner. It was in last…
Acharei Mot,Kedoshim,Weekly Message
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5772-2012
"Respect for Elders" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The double portions of Acharei-Mot and Kedoshim together contain a total of 79 mitzvot, more than one seventh of all the mitzvot in the…
Pekudei 5782-2022
“The Lesson of the Basin: ‘Don’t Judge a Basin by its Cooper’” (updated and revised from Pekudei 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Pekudei, opens with…
Va’eira 5760-2000
"G-d Hardens Pharaoh's Heart: Reconciling Omniscience and Free Will" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Va'eira, we encounter one of the fundamental…
Vayeitzei 5760-1999
"Who is the Real Enemy?" Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayeitzei, we read of Jacob's flight from Beersheva, to escape his brother Esau's wrath. Jacob runs, as…
Vayeira 5769-2008
"'Shalom Bayit', Little White Lies" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Vayeira, Abraham receives the stunning news from the three "guests" whom he has welcomed into his home, that…
Vayeishev 5771-2010
"Tamar: The Paradigm of an Heroic Woman” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeishev, we learn of Judah’s estrangement from his family after the sale of Joseph…
Vayechi 5776-2015
“Jacob Maintains a Bitter Grudge Against Simeon and Levi” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayechi, Jacob blesses his twelve sons prior to his death. Even…
Vayeitzei 5780-2019
“Who is the Real Enemy?” (Updated and revised from Vayeitzei 5760-1999) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeitzei, we read of Jacob’s flight from…
Shemot 5771-2010
“Pharaoh’s Three Counselors” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shemot, the intense suffering of the Israelites in Egypt begins. The rabbis of the Midrash are…