Bereshith 5769-2008
"The Development of Civilization as Recorded in Genesis" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald The Torah is not intended to serve as a history lesson or as a chronicle of the development of ancient…
Re’eh 5765-2005
"The Sanctity of Land and its Implications" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the topics discussed in this coming week's parasha, parashat Re'eh, is the sanctity of the Land of Israel.…
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…
Vayishlach 5770-2009
"The Rape of Dinah: Impossible to Fathom!" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayishlach, we learn of the brutal abduction and rape of Jacob's daughter, Dinah. The…
Vayishlach 5760-1999
"The Massacre of Shechem, Can it be Justified?" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald As this week's parasha, parashat Vayishlach commences, Jacob prepares for the fateful confrontation with his…
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…
Vayishlach 5761-2000
"The Proper and Improper use of Zealotry" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Vayishlach, we encounter, in chapter 34, a very painful and distressing story…
Vayechi 5770-2009
"Rachel's Burial Place in Bethlehem" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayechi, when Joseph is told that his father is ill, he takes his two sons, Menashe and…
Bo 5768-2008
"Is This What You Call Borrowing?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Bo we learn that after the ninth plague, the plague of darkness, Pharaoh has reached his wit's end, and agrees…
Behar,Weekly Message,Bechukotai
Behar-Bechukotai 5766-2006
"The Economics of Torah" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald The very last chapter of the book of Leviticus chapter 27, which concludes this week's double parashiot Behar-Bechukotai, focuses on…