Fire and Ice
A news story in June, 2017, reported that a combination of ice and fire doomed the Titanic and caused its sinking on April 14, 1912. Photos of the ship prior to its departure from Belfast…
What Goes Around Comes Around
Is there any truth to the popular statement, “What goes around, comes around”? It is a pithy phrase that is all too often suggested (somewhat viciously) after a person falls on hard…
Acts of Nature, with a Little Help
Our Rabbis have taught: On entering the barn to measure the newly harvested grain one shall recite the benediction, ‘May it be Your will O Lord, our God, that You may send blessing upon…
Visiting The Sick
“It was taught: There is no measure [of reward] for visiting the sick. What is meant by, ‘there is no measure for visiting the sick?’ Rabbi Joseph thought to explain that: Its reward is…
Visiting The Sick
“It was taught: There is no measure [of reward] for visiting the sick. What is meant by, ‘there is no measure for visiting the sick?’ Rabbi Joseph thought to explain that: Its reward is…
Does Life Begin at 40?
In 1932 Walter Pitkin published his popular self-help book, Life Begins at Forty. Truthfully, before the 20th century, life expectancy, on average, rarely exceeded 40. The number 40 is…
What Goes Around Comes Around
Is there any truth to the popular statement, “What goes around, comes around?" It is a pithy phrase that is all too often suggested (somewhat viciously) after a person falls into hard…
Re’eh 5764-2004
"Identifying a True Prophet" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Re'eh, the Torah warns the Jewish people not to follow false prophets. The difficulty with this…
Kee Tavo 5766-2006
"Respect for the Person and the Office" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the opening chapter of this week's parasha, parashat Kee Tavo, we read about the ritual of Bikurim -- the gift of…
Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5763-2003
"Choosing Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald There's something very distinctive about the arrival of the Jewish New Year. Whenever the Jewish High Holiday season draws near there's always…