Toledot 5777-2016
“The Exceptional Power of Prayer” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As this week’s parasha, parashat Toledot, opens, we find Isaac in the process of entreating G-d that his wife, Rebecca,…
Judaism,Rosh Hashana Resources,Literacy,Yom Kippur Resources,ReadingJudaism,Rosh Hashana,Literacy,Yom Kippur
Recommended High Holiday Reading
Recommended High Holiday ReadingA selection of valuable books to help you explore your Jewish Heritage and prepare for the New Year. Rosh Hashana/Yom Kippur Survival KitBy Shimon……
Kee Tavo 5768-2008
"Redeeming Captives" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Kee Tavo is one of two parashiot in the Torah that are known as the Tochacha, G-d's reproach of the Jewish people. In this Torah…
Why Were Scouts of the Promised Land Needed?
The most devastating punishment meted out by God in the Torah is described in this week's parasha. God commands Moses to send 12 scouts - one representing each tribe - to…
Precious Creation
While there are many appropriate themes with which the Torah in Genesis 1 could have begun (Abraham, Mt. Sinai, etc.), it begins instead with a day-by-day description of the creation of…
Eden in the Garden State
The first residents of the current state of New Jersey were Dutchmen from New Amsterdam (New York) who settled Jersey City in 1614. Some historians claim that in 1655, some Jews from New…
Beyond Boils
When the Torah was translated into English, the Hebrew word makkah was translated as plague. In the modern lexicon, however, the term plague often brings to mind the hideous…
Brisket!
On this “Brisket Day,” celebrated annually on May 28th, it behooves Jews to contemplate our obsession with this delicious and popular holiday main course. Brisket is considered one of the…
The Iron Curtain
On March 5, 1946, barely one year after the end of World War II, recently-defeated British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, delivered a speech entitled, “Sinews of Peace” at…
Grace Before Meals
One of the seven mitzvot enacted by the rabbis is reciting blessings prior to eating food. The other six rabbinic innovations are: the holiday of Purim, the holiday of Chanukah, lighting…