Jewish Treats

The Last King of Judah

When Mattaniah, the son of King Josiah, was 13 years old, his brother King Yeho'yakim (who had succeeded Josiah) of Judah died after an open rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.…

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Jewish Treats

Strings of Red

Do an online search for the terms “red string” and “Judaism” and you will find a preponderance of discussions about the propriety of wearing a red string as a sign of bracha (blessing) or…

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Jewish Treats

The Last King of Judah

When Mattaniah, the son of King Josiah, was 13 years old, his brother King Yeho'yakim (who had succeeded Josiah) of Judah died after an open rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.…

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Jewish Treats

Just This Once?

Children notoriously like to test the limits. “If I try to take a cookie, will mom really punish me?” “If I draw on this wall, will dad really be upset?” The job of the parent is to stay…

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Jewish Treats

The Sabbath of Remembering

This Shabbat is Shabbat Parashat Zachor, the Sabbath of Remembering. The Torah portion that is read as the Maftir (additional) portion after the conclusion of the regular weekly Torah…

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Jewish Treats

Watch Your Language

Once upon a time in American culture, defiant children who uttered certain improper words would have their mouths washed out with soap. Today, profanities litter the world of common…

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Jewish Treats

Tripping the Vision Impaired

Parashat Kedoshim, the second of the two Torah portions (Acharei Mot-Kedoshim) that will be read this Shabbat, contains a total of 51 mitzvot. One of those mitzvot pertains to the…

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Weekly Message,Kee Tavo

Kee Tavo 5764-2004

"The Centrality of Joy in Jewish Observance" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Kee Tavo is one of the two parashiot in the Torah that features the terrifying prophecies known as the…

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Weekly Message,Pekudei

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…

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Weekly Message,Eikev

Eikev 5767-2007

"Swearing in G-d's name" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald It's rather fascinating to see how one single, seemingly simple verse can be interpreted so differently by our commentators. In…

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