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…

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Va’etchanan 5780-2020

“The Mandate for Parental Involvement in Jewish Education” (updated and revised from Va’etchanan 5761-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Va’etchanan, we…

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Kiss the Mezuzah

One might easily think of the mitzvah of mezuzah as a passive mitzvah. Simply recite the blessing before affixing the mezuzah to the doorposts of the house, and it is done. While affixing…

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Don’t Wake Dad

You receive a telephone call offering you ten million dollars; all you have to do is go upstairs and wake your father from his mid-day nap. Who'd hesitate? The Talmud tells an interesting…

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Laws and Customs of Shavuot

ShavuotLaws and Customs Table of Contents Festival Laws The Book of Ruth Customs Shavuot is a low-key, pensive holiday,…

The Fast of Esther

Ta’anit EstherThe Fast of Esther A fast day is observed in commemoration of the 3 days of fasting by Esther, Mordechai and the…

World Sauntering Day

In Jewish life there is great admiration for a character trait known as z'reezut, which is often translated as zealousness. The word z'reezut actually comes from the root…

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Yom Tov – The First Festival Days

Yom TovThe First Festival Days Sukkot is a 7 day holiday. The first day (first two days outside of Israel) are Yamim Tovim –…

Who Lights The Shabbat Candles?

While lighting Shabbat candles is generally considered a "woman's mitzvah," and is traditionally performed by the woman of the house, it is actually an obligation of the entire household.…

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Eat and Save

"Eat your peas! There are children starving in Africa!" "No dessert until you eat all the food on your plate!" "Waste not, want not." Today, June 5, 2020, is the United Nations…

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