Devarim 5780-2020
“Eichah, The Annual Search for Meaning and Introspection” (updated and revised from Parashat Devarim 5761-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Devarim, is…
The Disputation of Paris
The month of June in the year 1240 C.E. was not a good time for the Jews of Europe. The trouble began with a Jewish apostate named Nicholas Donin. Wanting, perhaps, to prove his loyalty…
Preparing for Passover V
Jewish history is cyclical. It is highly likely that what our ancestors experienced, we, or the next generations, will experience as well.
Preparing for Passover IV
The Passover Seder stresses our transformation from slaves to free people. The Seder’s default position is to be thankful for both our physical and spiritual freedom.
Preparing for Passover III
Removing leavened items refers to utensils, in addition to food. Passover is all about transformation.
Preparing for Passover II
Naming the holiday “The Time of our Freedom” begs the question, what is true freedom?
Hungarian Jewish History
If you travel to Hungary, make a point of seeing the Jewish-oriented sites and learn about the history of Jews in Hungary.
Devarim,All Audience,Literacy,Weekly Message,Judaism
Devarim 5779-2019
“Judaism’s Unique View of Justice and the Judicial System” (Revised and updated from Devarim 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week, we begin reading the Book of…
Begin Preparing for the Three Weeks
As the Three Weeks begin immediately upon the conclusion of Shabbat, we should plan ahead to make sure we experience a meaningful Three Weeks period.
The Right and Wrong Ways of Declaring Independence
On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence, officially seceding from the British Crown. This year, July 4th falls during the week of parashat…