Vayeitzei 5769-2008
"Leah, the Fourth Matriarch" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In parashat Vayeitzei, Jacob leaves Beersheba, fleeing from his brother Esau who threatened to murder him. Upon his arrival at the…
Shemini 5760 – 2000
"Substance Abuse in Judaism" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, Parashat Shemini, opens with the majestic ceremony marking the consecration of Aaron and his sons as…
Terumah 5765-2005
"Identifying the Essentials of Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Terumah, is the first of four parashiot: Terumah, Tetzaveh, Vayakhel, Pekudei, and…
Terumah-Purim 5760-2000
"The Mishkan: Underscoring the Centrality of the Home in Jewish Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat Terumah, we begin a series of four parashiot…
Tzav-Purim 5771-2011
“Shabbat and Purim” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This year, the festival of Purim will be celebrated throughout the world on Saturday evening, March 19th, and Sunday, March 20th (except…
Chukat 5773-2013
"Striking the Stone: the Parameters of Anger" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the many topics in this week’s parasha is the report of Miriam’s death and the subsequent lack of water.…
Shemini 5774-2014
“This is What the L-rd Meant When He Said” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shemini, we read of the untimely and tragic deaths of Aaron’s two sons, Nadav and…
Happy Purim!
Enjoy and rejoice on this very special day. Fulfil the four mitzvot (commandments) of Purim: hear the Megillah, give charity so impoverished people can eat a meal on Purim, deliver…
Dancing on Ice
Competing for artistic and athletic mastery on ice has been part of the fun of winter long before the Winter Olympics, and Jews have often taken part in the joy of ice skating. In…