Lech Lecha 5762-2001

"Understanding Ishmael" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Lech Lecha, we encounter the birth of Abrams's oldest son, Ishmael. The bible, in Genesis 15, tells…

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Chayei Sarah 5774-2013

"Yitzchak Establishes a Home with His New Wife" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, we read of the death of the matriarch Sarah at age 127. Rashi…

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Rosh Hashana 5780-2019

“The Judgment of Ishmael, and its Contemporary Implications for all of G-d's Creatures” (Updated and revised from Rosh Hashana 5761-2000)   Because of Rosh Hashana, instead of…

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Chayei Sara 5761-2000

"The Personality of Isaac: the Passive Patriarch" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, we learn of the death of Abraham's wife, Sarah, our…

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Devarim 5781-2021

“Judging Our People Favorably” (Updated and revised from Devarim 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Devarim, is always read prior to Tisha b’Av,…

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Vayakhel-Pekudei 5762-2002

"The Original Jewish Renewal Movement" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On this coming Shabbat we will read two parashiot, Vayakhel and Pekudei, which conclude the book of Exodus. These…

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Rosh Hashana 5761-2000

"The Judgment of Ishmael and its Contemporary Implications for all of G-d's Creatures" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Because this coming Shabbat is Rosh Hashana, the normal weekly Torah…

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History of the State Since 1948

History of the StateSince 1948 Table of Contents the war of independence population shifts 1956- the sinai campaign 1967 –…

Yom Ha’atzmaut 5760-2000

"Being Judged by a Different Yardstick" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This coming week we celebrate Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. Yom Ha'Atzmaut occurs on the fifth of Iyar, which,…

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Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5766-2006

"The Torah's Not-So-Secret Formula for Peace" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald It is rather remarkable how often the weekly Torah portion contains a textual reference that seems to allude to…

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