Shabbat Nachamu
The Shabbat following the fast of Tisha b’Av (the ninth of the Hebrew month of Av) is called Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Consolation, referring to the opening words of the haftarah,…
Matot 5771-2011
“Leadership and its Moral Responsibilities” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Matot, G-d tells Moses to take vengeance upon the Midianites on behalf of the…
Passover I 5772-2012
“Optimism and Faithfulness” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week, Jews the world over will experience “Spring fever.” Since the Bible states (Exodus 23:15), that Passover is to be…
Noah 5773-2012
"The Power of Unity" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Noah, is known primarily for the story of the flood that inundated the world in response to the evil…
Mikeitz 5773-2012
"Two Long Years in Joseph’s Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Mikeitz, opens two years after Joseph had successfully interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s…
Kee Tisah 5773-2013
"The Vengeful G-d--Revisited" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Kee Tisah, we read of the grave sin of the Golden Calf, a trespass that, despite the…
Naso 5773-2013
"Playing the Subordinate Role: A Lesson from the Levites" by Rabbi Ephaim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Naso, continues the description of the role of the Levites, whose…
Mishpatim 5774-2014
“Oh’na’ah–Taking Unfair Advantage of the Weak” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Mishpatim, contains 53 of the 613 commandments, 30 negative commandments and 23…
Shoftim 5774-2014
“Justice--the Source of Security of the Land of Israel” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Shoftim, calls upon the People of Israel to formally establish courts of…
Vayishlach 5775-2014
“She Called His Name ‘Ben Oni’” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayishlach, Jacob, after many years of separation, finally reunites with his long-estranged…