B’ha’alot’cha 5772-2012
"Eldad and Medad" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the many fascinating topics in this week’s parasha, parashat B’ha’alot’cha, is the story of Eldad and Medad. Eldad and Medad are…
Noah 5773-2012
"The Power of Unity" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Noah, is known primarily for the story of the flood that inundated the world in response to the evil…
Chukat 5776-2016
“The Bronze Serpent" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Chukat, we learn that the People of Israel are at it again! Only a short distance remains for…
Chayei Sarah 5769-2008
"Mourning and Eulogizing" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Although this week's Torah portion is entitled Chayei Sarah, which literally means "the life of Sarah," the opening part of the…
Acharei Mot 5784-2024
“The Unfathomable Practice of Molech Worship” (updated and revised from Acharei Mot 5771-2011) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In Leviticus 18, the last chapter of this week's parasha,…
Bereshith 5763-2002
"Being Moral in an Increasingly Immoral Environment" Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Bershith, is one of the richest of all the narrative portions of the Torah. One…
Noah 5769-2008
"Nimrod and the Financial Meltdown" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In Genesis 10, the Torah features a long list of descendants of Shem, Cham and Yafet. It is a litany of begets and begats…
Vayechi 5764-2004
"Can It Be a Mitzvah to Lie?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The late great Bible teacher, Nehama Leibowitz, alerts us to a major issue that appears in the narrative of this week's parasha,…
Vayikra 5770-2010
"Do Leaders Corrupt, or are They Corrupted?" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Vayikra, we learn of the varied sacrifices and offerings that were brought…
Shemot 5769-2009
"Does Moses Contradict G-d?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shemot, G-d appears to Moses in the midst of a burning bush charging him to go to Pharaoh and to…