B’ha’a’lot’cha 5777-2017
“The Convert and the Second Passover” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat B’ha’a’lot’cha, we learn of the fascinating law of פֶּסַח שֵׁנִי --Pesach Shay’nee, the…
Shoftim 5777-2017
“Judaism and the Principle of the Sanctity of Human Life” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Shoftim, focuses, for the most part, on the principle of the…
Mishpatim 5778-2018
“Heaven Made Me Do It!” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Mishpatim, serves as the basis of the Hebrew system of jurisprudence. It is the fourth most numerous…
Va’eira 5780-2019
“G-d Hardens Pharaoh's Heart: Reconciling Omniscience with Free Will” (revised and updated from Va’eira 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Va'eira,…
Emor 5768-2008
"Creed or Deed" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The two opening chapters of parashat Emor, Leviticus 21 and 22, deal with laws that pertain to the Kohanim (priests) and to safeguarding the…
Cut Off
"...Be as scrupulous in performing a 'minor' mitzvah as a 'major' one, for you do not know the reward given for the respective mitzvot. Calculate the...reward of a sin against its cost"…
Five Ways to Prepare
Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy (Zachor et yom HaShabbat l'kadsho - Exodus 20:8). This commandment alludes to all the positive mitzvot of Shabbat, such as reciting kiddush,…
Cut Off
"...Be as scrupulous in performing a 'minor' mitzvah as a 'major' one, for you do not know the reward given for the respective mitzvot. Calculate the...reward of a sin against its cost"…
Day of the Dove
In modern Western culture, the dove is commonly used to symbolize peace. The positive associations attached to the dove, however, are not new. This particular bird has been set apart from…
A Guard of Shabbat
Two primary words of instruction are used in the Torah to command the observance of Shamor: zachor, remember (Exodus 20:8) and shamor (Deuteronomy 5:12).…