Vayechi 5763-2002
"How Important is Timing?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Vayechi, contains the exalted poetic verses known as "Birkot Yaakov," Jacob's blessings of his…
Noah 5766-2005
"The Seven Commandments Given to the Descendants of Noah" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Noah, G-d blesses Noah and his children after the Flood, and graces…
Shavuot ResourcesUncategorized
Laws and Customs of Shavuot
ShavuotLaws and Customs Table of Contents Festival Laws The Book of Ruth Customs Shavuot is a low-key, pensive holiday,…
Chayei Sara 5764-2003
"Who Was the Matriarch Sarah?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, the matriarch Sarah, Abraham's wife, passes away. The authors of the Midrash,…
Chanukah Blessings
The Jewish people have said this prayer daily for thousands of years. On the first night of Chanukah, one candle/wick in oil is placed on the far right of the menorah. Each succeeding…
Bo 5761-2001
"The Slave Mentality" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Bo, concludes the narrative of the ten plagues by recounting the final three plagues, locusts,…
Bamidbar 5768-2008
"Moses: A Spiritual Father" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the third chapter of parashat Bamidbar we are told of the progeny of Moses and Aaron and about the appointment of the Levites…
Bamidbar 5767-2007
"The Tribe of Levi--the Master Enablers" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Bamidbar, we learn about the structure and formation of the Israelites in the…
Bamidbar 5766-2006
"Valuable Insights from the Priestly Logistics" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Much of this week's parasha, parashat Bamidbar, deals with the logistics of Israel's encampment in the…
Chukat-Balak 5760-2000
"History Repeats Itself! Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week our Torah portions are doubled. We read both parashiot Chukat and Balak. Parashat…