Vayikra 5768-2008
"Infallibility in Judaism" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayikra, we are told of the many types of offerings that were brought in the ancient Tabernacle. In…
Tetzaveh 5760-2000
"Clothes: A Reflection of the Divine Image" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat Tetzaveh, we read of the big'dei k'huna, the priestly garments, with very…
Pinchas 5768-2008
"The Zealotry of Pinchas as Seen Through the Midrash" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Last week's parasha, parashat Balak, closed with the story of Pinchas' zealotry. As we read in that…
Naso 5771-2011
"Finding Variety in the Seemingly Identical" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Naso, is the longest parasha of the Torah. It is usually read on the Shabbat that…
Vayeishev 5779-2018
“The Mystical Aspects of the Sale of Joseph” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeishev, we read of the sale of Joseph by his brothers, which resulted…
Bo 5770-2010
"Finding Favor in the Eyes of the Egyptians" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Bo, the ninth plague, darkness, strikes. In response to the plague, Pharaoh…
Tetzaveh 5779-2019
“Clothes: A Reflection of the Divine Image” (Revised and updated from Tetzaveh 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week’s parasha, Parashat Tetzaveh, we read of the…
B’shalach 5770-2010
"Va'chamushim - Armed or Otherwise" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat B'shalach, after enduring slavery for 110 years (by rabbinic count), the Israelites are…
Vayigash 5771-2010
“When a Jew Goes Down to Egypt” Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayigash, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. When Jacob learns that his beloved son is still…
In Tune
Can you read Jewish music? No, not the sheet music to Fiddler on the Roof or Havah Nagillah. Trope, the musical cantillation used by Torah readers to sing-chant the holy…