Weekly Message,Vayechi

Vayechi 5766-2006

"The Passing of a Patriarch" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayechi, we read of the passing of the patriarch Jacob. The Torah tells us that as soon as…

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Holidays,Judaism,Holiday ResourcesLiteracy,Judaism

Tu b’Av

Tu b'AvThe Fifteenth of Av Tu b’Av (The Fifteenth of Av) is no longer the well-known holiday on the…

Weekly Message,Pekudei

Pekudei 5776-2016

“The Mishkan--the Tabernacle, as Collateral” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Pekudei, opens with a reckoning and accounting of all the precious materials that…

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Weekly Message,Re'eh

Re’eh 5779-2019

“Charity! The Investment That Keeps Giving” (Revised and updated from Re’eh 5760-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Re’eh, is a truly edifying Torah portion,…

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Judaism,Articles,Tisha b'Av ResourceLiteracy,Judaism

Kinnot

KinnotMany devastating events took place on the 9th of Av. This is why the Jewish people consider it the saddest day on the…

Jewish Treats

No Holiday as Joyous

Tu b’Av (The Fifteenth of Av) is no longer the well-known holiday on the Jewish calendar that it was in ancient times. In fact, the Talmud states that: “There were no holidays so joyous…

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Jewish Treats

Lessening Our Joy

According to the Mishna in Tractate Ta'anit 26b, when the month of Av begins, we curtail our joy.

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Tu b'Av,Eikev,Weekly Message

Eikev-Tu b’Av 5766-2006

"The Fifteenth of Av" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald For most of the past three weeks, beginning with the fast of the 17th of Tammuz and concluding with the fast of Tisha b'Av, the Jewish…

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Yom Kippur,Weekly Message

Yom Kippur 5768-2007

"The Role of the Cantor in the High Holiday Services" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E. It was in that Temple and the First Temple that…

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Literacy Resources,Purim,Judaism,Purim Resources,PassoverLiteracy,Judaism,Purim

The Fast of Esther

Ta’anit EstherThe Fast of Esther A fast day is observed in commemoration of the 3 days of fasting by Esther, Mordechai and the…