Tzav 5761 – 2001
"Behold I am sending you Elijah the Prophet" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On this coming Shabbat, the Shabbat of Erev Pesach, we read parashat Tzav. This Shabbat is known as Shabbat…
Kee Tavo 5762-2002
"A Contemporary Interpretation of an Ancient Reproof" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Kee Tavo, is one of two parashiot in the Torah that are known as…
Kee Tavo 5781-2021
“A Contemporary Interpretation of an Ancient Reproof” (updated and revised from Kee Tavo 5762-2002) This coming week’s parasha, parashat Kee Tavo, is one of two parashiot in the…
What You Say to the King
Is it okay to malign the leader(s) of the country? In the United States, the concept of freedom of speech allows for a great range of political commentary and criticism. Whether this is…
The Morning Blessings: Eh’lo’hai N’shama/The Soul That You Created
Expressing gratitude to God for our lives and our souls is an essential part of the morning prayers. Eh’lo’hai n’shama sheh’na’ta’ta bee t’hora hee. Ah’tah v’ratah Ah’tah y’tzar’tah,…
Watch With Whom You Walk
Despite the primarily legalistic nature of the Talmud, one finds many social insights based on the words of the Bible. For instance: Rabbi Simeon ben Pazi expounded [the foregoing…
If You Don’t Have your own Sukkah
If you do not have your own sukkah, make the effort to find a sukkah in which you can eat. To help you celebrate Sukkot, NJOP encourages you to join a “Sukkot Across America” celebration…
It’s All In How You Go
Living a Jewish life does not just happen on holidays or Shabbat or when looking for a good, kosher snack. Judaism is a way of life that is meant to influence everything one does, every…
Hearing What You Want to Hear
Every therapist emphasizes the importance of good communication. It sounds easy, but it isn’t always. Hearing what one wants to hear and ignoring the inflection and subtext, often leads…
Did You Say Satan?
The word Satan derives from the Hebrew satan, literally “hinderer.” However, the common Christian belief that Satan is a fallen angel who opposes God by tempting humans to sin is…