A Ten-Light Chanukah Menorah?

In a summary of the Chanukah customs of Persian Jewry (Shlomo Tal edition, 1981, pg. 189-190), three options are offered regarding how to kindle the Chanukah lights. First, the common…

Read More

Va’eira 5772-2012

“The Decline and Collapse of the Egyptian Magicians” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Va’eira, we learn of the first seven plagues that strike the Egyptians.…

Read More

Maggid

Maggid Table of ContentsMaggid, the section of the Seder where we fulfill the mitzvah of telling the story of the Exodus, is a…

Passover 5775-2015

“Learning to Revere G-d” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald There is a fascinating debate in the Passover Hagaddah regarding the number of plagues that struck the Egyptians at the sea. We are…

Read More

Passover Writings

Passover Writings Order in Ten Plagues by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Demystifying…Bedikat Chametz (The Search for Chametz)…

Chol Hamoed Pesach 5764-2004

"With G-d as Our Partner" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This Shabbat, instead of the regular Torah portion, Exodus 33:12-34:26 is read, which makes references to the "13 Attributes of G-d's…

Read More

Passover 5783-2023

“With G-d as Our Partner” (updated and revised from Chol haMoed Passover 5764-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This Shabbat, Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach, the regular Torah portion,…

Read More

Bo 5776-2016

“How Impactful was the Plague of Locusts?” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Bo, the Al-mighty visits the plague of locusts on Pharaoh and on the land of…

Read More

Va’eira 5763-2002

"The Exodus--A 'Primitive' Story with Revolutionary Implications" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Jewish history is often perceived, with great justification I might add, as one unending…

Read More

Bo 5767-2007

"Learning by Teaching" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the opening verse of parashat Bo, G-d tells Moses that He has hardened the hearts of Pharaoh and his servants, so that G-d will be…

Read More