Kedoshim 5776-2016
“Tattoos" In Parashat Kedoshim the Torah proclaims the prohibition of making cuts on one’s skin as a sign of mourning and forbids drawing permanent tattoos on the body. Scripture, in…
Shelach 5777-2017
“The Slave Mentality” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shelach, we read of G-d’s shattering decree that the generation of Israelites who came out of Egypt…
Re’eh 5777-2017
“Coming to Jerusalem–-The Festival Pilgrimages” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Re’eh, we learn of the commandment for the Children of Israel to come to…
Vayeira 5778-2017
“The Alliance with Abimelech” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Vayeira, is a rich parasha containing many important topics, including the destruction of Sodom,…
Passover II /Final Days 5778-2018
“Passover: The Final Days ” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald According to the Torah (Numbers 28:16-25), there are seven official days of Passover. In Israel, the first day and the final…
Naso 5778-2018
“Counting the ‘Special’ People” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In last week’s parasha, parashat Bamidbar, after conducting a census of all the tribes of Israel and assigning each tribe a…
B’ha’a’lot’cha 5778-2018
“The Seventy Elders: The Challenge of Jewish Leadership” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the many interesting themes found in this week’s parasha, parashat B’ha’a’lot’cha, is…
Balak 5778-2018
“The Contemporary Impact of the Blessings of Bilaam” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Balak, records Bilaam’s dramatic prophecies regarding the Jewish people.…
Eikev 5778-2018
“Contemporary Idolatry” In this week’s parasha, parashat Eikev, Moses, just days before his demise, continues his final oration to the People of Israel, and conveys his message of…
Shoftim 5764-2004
"Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Shoftim--the name means "judges" or "magistrates," and this parasha deals essentially with the ethical and…