Chukat-Balak 5769-2009
"The Ultimate Value of Human Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On this Shabbat, throughout the diaspora, a double Torah portion, Chukat-Balak, is read. In Israel, however, only the…
Matot-Masei 5760-2000
"Jeremiah's Prophecy: An Ancient Message for Contemporary Times" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Once again, this coming week's parashiot will be doubled, and we will be reading both…
Tzav 5764-2004
"Making the Menial Hallowed and Mundane Holy" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Tzav, continues parashat Vayikra's theme of sacrifices. The laws of the…
Shemini 5764-2004
"With the Lord as Our Partner" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat Shemini, the Torah portion opens with a description of the eighth and final day of the…
Matot-Masei 5779-2019
“Jeremiah’s Prophecy: An Ancient Message for Contemporary Times” (Revised and updated from Matot-Masei 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This Shabbat, when parashiot Matot…
Yitro 5770-2010
"The Arrival of Jethro" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Yitro, Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, arrives at the camp of the People of Israel, located by the…
Shelach 5770-2010
"Was the Sin of the Scouts Greater than the Sin of the Golden Calf?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In last week's parasha, parashat B'ha'alot'cha, we learned of the murmurers who…
Chukat 5761-2001
"Can Death Be Sweet?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's Torah portion, parashat Chukat, we learn of the death of Aaron at Mt. Hor. G-d speaks to Moshe and Aaron at the…
Passover: The Second Days 5768-2008
"Counting the Omer" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In parashat Emor, we learn of the mitzvah of counting the Omer. Leviticus 23:15-16 declares: "Oosfartem lachem mee'macharat…