Nitzavim,Vayeilech,Weekly Message
Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5780-2020
“An Exclusive Covenant with an Inclusive Philosophy” (Revised and updated from Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5760-2000) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Nitzavim, the first of this…
Kiss and Make Up
Today, August 25th, is the anonymously anointed “Kiss and Make Up Day.” These modern “holidays” have little historic meaning, but Jewish Treats would be remiss in not noting that the…
No Holiday as Joyous
Tu b’Av (The Fifteenth of Av) is no longer the well-known holiday on the Jewish calendar that it was in ancient times. In fact, the Talmud states that: “There were no holidays so joyous…
Eikev 5780-2020
“The Intermarriage Conundrum” (updated and edited from parashat Eikev 5761-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The opening verses of this week’s parasha, parashat Eikev, conclude the…
Tisha b’Av
Tonight, at sunset, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar begins. Known as the Fast of the 9th of Av (Tisha b'Av), the observances of the day are very similar to Yom Kippur, the holiest…
The Month of Av
The months of the Jewish year are called in the Torah by number only (the first month, second month, etc.). Over time, during the exile, the months assumed the names given to them by host…
Devarim 5780-2020
“Eichah, The Annual Search for Meaning and Introspection” (updated and revised from Parashat Devarim 5761-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Devarim, is…
Smashing the Tablets
The sages declare that five tragedies occurred on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, which is why the day is observed as a fast day. Days of what we might now call "bad karma" (on which bad…
The Three Weeks
Today, the Seventeenth of Tammuz, is the beginning of the period known as the Three Weeks, when we mourn the national tragedies that befell the Jewish people throughout the generations.
Pinchas 5780-2020
“The Pain of Giving Reproof” (Updated and revised from Parashat Pinchas 5761-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On Thursday, July 9th, Jews the world over will observe the fast of Shivah…