Bo 5783-2023

“The Subtle Secrets of the 10 Plagues” (updated and revised from Bo 5763-2003) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Bo, describes the last three of the ten…

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Chayei Sarah 5784-2023

Urgent message: Given the most challenging situation in Israel at this time, I urge all to pray for the bereaved families, the hostages, the missing and the many casualties. Please try…

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Tazria-Metzorah 5767-2007

"The Conundrum of Childbirth" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Again, because of the calendrical nuances, this week's parashiot, Tazriah-Metzorah, are combined. While both parashiot deal…

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Bo 5763-2003

"The Subtle Secrets of the 10 Plagues" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Bo, describes the last three of the ten plagues. While the listing of the Ten…

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Naso 5760-2000

"Traditional Judaism: Fundamentalist or Ascetic" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Naso, we encounter the curious law of the Nazir, the Nazarite. In…

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Tiferet-Beauty

The third week of Sefirat Ha’Omer, the counting of the days between Passover and Shavuot, is dedicated to the Sephirah of Tiferet - Beauty. (For an explanation of the sephirot, please…

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The Four Species

The Four Species “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a hadar (beautiful) tree, the branch…

Vayechi 5766-2006

"The Passing of a Patriarch" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayechi, we read of the passing of the patriarch Jacob. The Torah tells us that as soon as…

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How To Keep Kosher

How To Keep Kosher Table of Contents Introduction How to Kasher An Oven How to Cook in a Kosher Oven How to Kasher Silverware…

Toledot 5772-2011

“Isaac Blesses His Sons” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Toledot, we learn how Isaac’s intentions to bless Esau are thwarted by the deceptive actions of…

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