Vayechi 5770-2009
"Rachel's Burial Place in Bethlehem" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayechi, when Joseph is told that his father is ill, he takes his two sons, Menashe and…
Weights and Measures
The last century has seen the rise, fall and transformation of several major economic-political philosophies (socialism, communism, capitalism). The primary economic philosophy of the…
The Tenth of Tevet
And it was in the ninth year of [King Zeddekiah’s] reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth (day) of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, came, he and all his legions, upon…
Challah Recipe
From NJOP's Gourmet Shabbat:Miriam Weinrib: CHALLAH (yields 5 medium challahs)5 pounds flour1 cup oil3 tbsp. salt5 eggs4 ounces fresh yeast,4 cups warm water1½ cups sugar Directions1) Put…
The Blessings of the Amidah: On Behalf of the Righteous
The nineteen blessings of the Amidah make up the core of the Jewish prayer service. The thirteenth blessing is the opposite of the one before; it is a prayer for the righteous, with the…
The Morning Blessings-Blessing #11: Your Every Need
Every morning, a set of 15 blessings is recited to express our thanks to God for all the things that we, as healthy human beings, are capable of doing. Ba’ruch Ah’tah Ah’doh’nai…
The Dreyfus Affair
The Dreyfus Affair is a story of intrigue and espionage, false accusations and hidden biases. It was also a demonstration that the so-called “enlightened” world of the late 19th century…
Vayigash 5770-2009
"How Much is Enough?" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayigash, Joseph dramatically reveals himself to his brothers and instructs them to bring his father…
The Blessings of the Amidah: Destruction of Our Enemies
The nineteen blessings of the Amidah make up the core of the Jewish prayer service. The twelfth blessing was actually added after the destruction of the Second Temple. This blessing calls…
The Morning Blessings-Blessing #10: The Ground Beneath
Every morning, a set of 15 blessings is recited to express our thanks to God for all the things that we, as healthy human beings, are capable of doing. Ba’ruch Ah’tah Ah’doh’nai…