Devarim 5781-2021
“Judging Our People Favorably” (Updated and revised from Devarim 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Devarim, is always read prior to Tisha b’Av,…
Smashing the Tablets
The sages declare that five tragedies occurred on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, (Sunday, June 27) which is why the day is observed as a fast day. Days of what we might now call “bad karma”…
Latrun: Battles for the Hilltop
Today, the hilltop of Latrun, just 15 kilometers west of Jerusalem, is a popular commemorative site that features an armored corps museum. This landmark, which was once the location of a…
Korach 5781-2021
Korach 5781-2021 “The Origin of the ‘Big Lie’” (updated and revised from Korach 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s Torah portion, parashat Korach, we read of Korach…
B’ha’a’lot’cha 5781-2021
“Is This What the Torah Predicted?” (updated and revised from B’ha’a’lot’cha 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat B’ha’a’lot’cha, contains several…
The Charleston Synagogue(s)
Charleston, South Carolina is home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in the United States. The 1669 charter for the Carolina Colony explicitly included liberty of conscious for…
Preparing for the Torah
Shortly after the Israelites encamped at the base of Mount Sinai, they agreed to accept the Torah and do all that God had commanded. And so, God declared that He would bring Himself, in…
Jewish Treats,Shavuot,Shavuot Resources
The Feast of Weeks
Shavuot, which we begin celebrating this Sunday night (May 16, 2021), is the only holiday listed in the Torah without the date on which it is to be observed. Rather, the Torah states that…
Lions and Jerusalem Day
The original city of Jerusalem, conquered by King David from the Jebusites, is now known as Ir David, situated in the Silwan neighborhood, south of the Temple Mount. Over time, Jerusalem…
Western Wall History
The Western (Wailing*) Wall is the most accessible holiest location in Jewish life. With 28 rows of massive stones above ground (and 17 below), the Wall itself is physically breathtaking.…