Devarim 5773-2013

"The Price of Disunity" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald With this week’s parasha, parashat Devarim, the fifth book of the Bible, Deuteronomy, begins. Parashat Devarim is always read on…

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Yom Kippur 5775-2014

“The High Priest’s Dilemma–What to Wear on Yom Kippur?” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The Torah reading from Leviticus 16:1-34 that is read on Yom Kippur morning in synagogues throughout…

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Behar-Bechukotai 5775-2015

“The Odd Conclusion to the Book of Leviticus” By Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Bechukotai, the second of this week’s double parashiot, Behar-Bechukotai, we find two major themes,…

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Blessing the Bread (Ha’Motzee)

Ha'Mo'TzeeBlessing the Bread Two complete loaves of bread, called challah, are used for ha’mo’tzee, the blessing over the…

B’shalach 5766-2006

"The Bones of Joseph" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat B'shalach, opens with millions of Israelites, many of them former slaves, departing from Egypt. At this…

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Festival Facts

Festival Facts Table of Contents Matzah Moshe (Moses) Pharoah Matzah BakingTo guarantee that matzah is Kosher for Passover,…

Mishpatim 5768-2008

"Showing Sensitivity to the Helpless and the Downtrodden" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the 53 mitzvot that are found in parashat Mishpatim (23 positive and 30 negative) are a series…

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B’ha’alot’cha 5765-2005

"The Message of the Trumpets" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Beha'alotecha, the Torah (Numbers 9:15-23) describes the travel procedures of the…

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Korach 5770-2010

"And Behold the Staff of Aaron had Blossomed" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The rebellion of Korach, about which we read in this coming week's parasha, parashat Korach, ends in great…

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Vayeishev 5772-2011

“Interpreting the Dreams of Others” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeishev, Joseph is accused of the attempted rape of Mrs. Potiphar. Her husband,…

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