Kee Tisah-Purim 5762-2002

"The Story of Esther--Making Choices for Jewish Destiny" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Because the festival of Purim will be celebrated throughout the world this Monday evening, the 25th…

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Chukat-Balak 5769-2009

"The Ultimate Value of Human Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On this Shabbat, throughout the diaspora, a double Torah portion, Chukat-Balak, is read. In Israel, however, only the…

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Emor 5772-2012

"Lessons from a Priest’s Wanton Daughter" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Emor, highlights the special status of the Kohanim, the priests, in the community of…

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Emor 5777-2017

“Communicating a Vital Message Clearly” by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Emor, contains 63 mitzvot-- 39 negative and 24 positive. Parashat Emor ranks second, after…

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Vayeilech-Yom Kippur 5779-2018

“And Moses Went...” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeilech, the Torah describes Moses’ final actions before his passing. On the last day of his life,…

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Vayishlach 5768-2007

"The Birth of Benjamin, The Death of Rachel" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayishlach, we read of an occasion that should have been a most joyous event in…

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Vayikra-Purim 5763-2003

"Parashat Zachor: 'Hating as a Mitzvah?'" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Since the festival of Purim will be celebrated this coming Monday night, March 17th and Tuesday, March 18th, this…

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Mikeitz 5762-2001

"A Dysfunctional Family Becomes Functional" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Mikeitz, the soap opera, I mean, the saga of the family of Jacob continues. And what…

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Re’eh 5782-2022

“Identifying a True Prophet” (updated and revised from Re’eh 5764-2004) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Re’eh, the Torah warns the Jewish people not to…

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Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5783-2023

“The Promise of Total Return” (updated and revised from Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5762-2002) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   This week’s double parashiot, Nitzavim and Vayeilech, are among…

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