Does God Experience Difficulty?
In the middle of parashat B’shalach, we encounter the great miracle of God splitting the Red Sea. The sages in the Talmud (Sotah 2a) used this great supernatural phenomenon to declare…
Rabbi Eliezer Silver
Historians have noted the seemingly underwhelming response of the American Jewish community to the Holocaust as it unfolded in Europe. Among the few who were prominent activists was Rabbi…
Support Survivors
There are still survivors of the Holocaust alive, many of whom are in need of assistance. While those still in Europe received help in Europe immediately after the war, let us not forget…
A Jewish Income Tax?
On February 3, 1913, the Sixteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived,…
B’shalach 5780-2020
“Where is Nachshon the Son of Aminadov When We Need Him?” (Updated and revised from B’shalach 5761-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat B’shalach,…
Under Cover of Darkness
Of the ten plagues that devastated the land of Egypt, the plague of darkness appears to be the most benign. Certainly being trapped in the dark is frightening (sensory deprivation is a…
The Forced Closing of the “Ivy League” Yeshiva
The idea of a school with a dual curriculum, teaching both Judaic and general subjects is not too farfetched. Dozens, if not hundreds, of such private schools can be found around the…
In a South American City
On January 18, 1535, the city of Lima, Peru, was founded to serve as the capital of the Peruvian Viceroyalty. The region’s mining riches drew, among others, a large number of Crypto-Jews…
Data Privacy: Yesterday and Today
The Council of Europe’s Convention for the Protection of Individuals with Regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data was passed on January 28, 1981. “Data Privacy Day,” established…
Judaism,All Audience,Bo,Literacy,Weekly Message
Bo 5780-2020
“Rational Love and Emotional Love: A Lesson from Tefillin” (revised and updated from Bo 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Bo, we read about…