Vayishlach 5780-2019

“The Massacre of Shechem, Can it be Justified?” (Updated and revised from Vayishlach 5760-1999)   by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As this week’s parasha, parashat Vayishlach, commences,…

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Shabbat Chazon

This Shabbat is Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of the Vision (prophecy), named after the opening word of the Book of Isaiah, the first 27 verses of which are read as the haftarah on the…

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Mikeitz-Chanukah 5764-2003

"Chanukah--The Struggle of Joseph and Judah" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald It is not at all a coincidence that parashat Mikeitz coincides with the festival of Chanukah. After all, Joseph's…

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Bo 5763-2003

"The Subtle Secrets of the 10 Plagues" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Bo, describes the last three of the ten plagues. While the listing of the Ten…

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Shelach 5760-2000

"Finding Meaning in the Rituals" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, Parashat Sh'lach, concludes with the well-known third paragraph of the Shema prayer concerning…

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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…

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B’ha’alot’cha 5773-2013

"Contemporary Implications of Ancient Rebellions" by Rabbi Ephaim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat B’ha’alot’cha, we read of two egregious rebellions that occurred on the…

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Devarim 5773-2013

"The Price of Disunity" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald With this week’s parasha, parashat Devarim, the fifth book of the Bible, Deuteronomy, begins. Parashat Devarim is always read on…

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Devarim 5780-2020

“Eichah, The Annual Search for Meaning and Introspection” (updated and revised from Parashat Devarim 5761-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Devarim, is…

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Shabbat Chazon

This Shabbat is Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of the Vision (prophecy), named after the opening word of the Book of Isaiah, the first 27 verses of which are read as the haftarah on the…

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