Kee Teitzei 5765-2005

"The Revolution that Started with a Fence" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The extraordinary number of themes that are found in parashat Kee Teizei make it seem as if the Torah, with only…

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Mikeitz-Chanukah 5761-2000

"What is Chanukah Really About?" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This coming week's parasha, Parashat Mikeitz, deals with the continuing saga of Joseph, specifically Pharaoh's dream, Joseph's…

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Drinking on Purim

Drinking on Purim “A person should drink on Purim until the point where they cannot tell the difference between…

Shemini-Yom Hashoah 5767-2007

"Never Again!-Again!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Two great events have shaped Jewish life in the last 65 years: the Holocaust and the rise of the State of Israel. Ironically, sixty…

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B’shalach 5770-2010

"Va'chamushim - Armed or Otherwise" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat B'shalach, after enduring slavery for 110 years (by rabbinic count), the Israelites are…

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Yitro 5762-2002

"Structural Secrets of the Decalogue" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Yitro, in Exodus 20, we encounter the Aseret Ha'dibrot, the Ten Commandments.…

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Yitro 5761-2001

"Can the Torah Forbid Feelings that are Part of Normal Human Emotions?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Yitro, is one of the two places in the Chumash…

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Terumah-Purim 5761-2001

"Amalek, Purim and the Mitzvah of Getting Drunk" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Terumah, coincides with Parashat Zachor, the special reading from…

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B’ha’alot’cha 5761-2001

"The Torah's Attitude Towards Converts" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's Torah portion, parashat Beha'alotecha, continues the narrative of the Jew's wanderings in the…

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Rosh Hashana 5766-2005

"Actions and their Implications" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald The celebration of the Jewish New Year is thoroughly different from the secular New Year festivities. No parties, no bands, no…

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