The Second Temple
When the Babylonians exiled the Jews and destroyed the First Temple, Jeremiah the Prophet promised that the exile would only last 70 years. The return of the Jews, however, was not a…
The Building of Solomon’s Temple
The 17th of Cheshvan marks the day on which King Solomon declared the work on the Holy Temple (Beit Hamikdash) to be complete. By then, Solomon had been king for eleven years, and the…
The Miracles of the Temple
The Jewish liturgy is filled with reminders of how we should mourn the loss of the Holy Temple, with prayers asking God to return the Holy Temple to us. While it is common knowledge, from…
Miracles in the Holy Temple
As we prepare to celebrate Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, on Monday, May 10th, take the opportunity to print out before Shabbat the 5th chapter of Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers,…
Temple Talk
This Shabbat, discuss what you know about the glory of the Holy Temple.
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…
Kedoshim,Weekly Message,Acharei Mot
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5778-2018
“The Extreme Sanctity of the Holy of Holies--Revisited” In parashat Acharei Mot, the first of this week’s double parashiyot, Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, we learn of the prohibition to enter the…
Pinchas 5777-2017
"Pinchas and King David" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald At the close of last week’s parasha, parashat Balak, we read of the zealous act of Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron the High Priest,…
Fast Days,Tisha b'Av Resource,Holidays,Tisha b’Av
Tisha b’Av
Tisha b’Av The saddest day in the Jewish calendar, believed to be a day which is destined for tragedy. Guide…