Va’eira 5784-2024

Urgent message: Given the most challenging situation in Israel at this time, I urge all to pray for the bereaved families, the hostages, the missing and the many casualties. Please try to…

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Mikeitz-Chanukah 5763-2002

"In Those Days, In These Times" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald The story of Joseph, as we have written in the past, may be seen as the story of an assimilator struggling with his identity.…

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Va’eira 5764-2004

"The Names of G-d and Their Meanings" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Va'eira, G-d speaks to Moses and says to him (Exodus 6:2): "Ah'nee Hashem," I…

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Matot 5774-2014

“Hakarat HaTov: Expressing Appreciation” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Matot, we read of G-d’s command to Moses to avenge the Children of Israel against…

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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,…

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Pinchas 5778-2018

"Pinchas the Zealot?"  by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald……

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Kee Tavo 5768-2008

"Redeeming Captives" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Kee Tavo is one of two parashiot in the Torah that are known as the Tochacha, G-d's reproach of the Jewish people. In this Torah…

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Balak 5771-2011

"Taking the Law Into One’s Own Hand" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald At the conclusion of this week’s parasha, parashat Balak, we learn that after Bilaam’s failed attempts to curse the…

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The Blessings of the Amidah: Gratitude

The nineteen blessings of the Amidah make up the core of the Jewish prayer service. The eighteenth blessing is an outright statement of gratitude. It is the longest of the nineteen…

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Haazinu 5765-2004

"Judging Others Favorably and its Impact on Our Own Judgment" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming Shabbat is known in the Jewish calendar as Shabbat Shuva--the Sabbath of Return. It…

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