Abigail was not only one of “four exceptionally beautiful women in the world” (Megillah 15a), but was also one of seven women considered by tradition to be a prophetess (Megillah 14a). It…
"A Blessing on Your Head"
by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald
Blessings play a key role in Judaism. Not surprisingly, there are a vast number of them in Jewish life.
There are blessings for…
"A State is not Delivered on a Silver Platter"
by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald
This week’s parasha, parashat Behar, contains many themes that pertain specifically to Eretz Yisrael, the land…
“Aaron Stops the Plague”
by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald
In this week’s parasha, parashat Korach, we read of the dramatic rebellion of Korach, Datan and Abiram, and their…
“The Confluence of v’Zot Habracha and the Holiday”
(originally posted in 5770-2009)
by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald
The festival of Simchat Torah, the rejoicing with the Law, is one of two…
Sir Moses Montefiore (1784-1885) had an extraordinary impact on the world.
Beginning
a career in general business, Montefiore quickly gained one of the 12
brokers licenses allowed to…
In addition to the unique prayer services of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the High Holidays are known for one other service: selichot. A collection of religious poems and…
