Bereshith,Weekly Message

Bereshith 5780-2019

How to Achieve Immortality the G-dly Way (Revised and updated from Bereshith 5760-1999) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   What could be more perfect or more harmonious for the human…

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Jewish Treats

Under The Apple Tree

Today is National Pie Day, and if you base fact upon popular idioms, then America’s favorite food would be apple pie. It may be true, or it may just be a reflection of the fact that…

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Acharei Mot,Weekly Message,Kedoshim

Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5762-2002

"Shaatnez: Understanding Irrational Decrees" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Once again, this week, we have combined parashiot--Acharei Mot-Kedoshim. The theme of the second parasha,…

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Sukkot Resources,SukkotSukkot

The Four Species

The Four Species “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a hadar (beautiful) tree, the branch…

Jewish Treats

Personal Responsiblity

In the beginning, there was...taking responsibility for one’s own actions. This important lesson is found in the very first portion of the Torah not once, but twice. Adam and Eve were…

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Jewish Treats

Personal Responsibility

In the beginning, there was...taking responsibility for one’s own actions. This important lesson is found in the very first portion of the Torah not once, but twice. Adam and Eve were…

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Jewish Treats

This Tomato Was Grown Where?

The view of Judaism is that humankind has the unique ability to synthesize the physical and the spiritual elements of life. Hence, Jewish law requires a person to recite a blessing over…

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Jewish Treats

Stop and Smell the Roses

There is no common word for people with an impaired olfactory system (anosmia, for those who wish to know) such as there is for one with impaired vision or impaired hearing. Smell,…

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Eikev,Weekly Message

Eikev 5778-2018

“Contemporary Idolatry”   In this week’s parasha, parashat Eikev, Moses, just days before his demise, continues his final oration to the People of Israel, and conveys his message of…

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Shoftim,Weekly Message

Shoftim 5769-2009

"The Torah Declares War on Bribery" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shoftim, we again encounter the Torah's emphatic injunction against taking bribes.…

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