Passover 5768-2008

"The Wind and the Sun" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Because this Saturday night, April 19th, is the first night of Passover, this week's message will focus on the festival of Passover,…

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B’ha’a’lot’cha 5777-2017

“The Convert and the Second Passover” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat B’ha’a’lot’cha, we learn of the fascinating law of פֶּסַח שֵׁנִי --Pesach Shay’nee, the…

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Relationship Builder

One of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of Jewish law is also one of its most private. These are the laws euphemistically known as Taharat Hamishpacha, the laws of family purity,…

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The Truth About Mitzvot

It is recorded in the Midrash Rabbah that Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai was once confronted by a man who challenged him about the purifying ritual of the Red Heifer (click here for details)…

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The Effect of the Dead

“All life is sacred!” It’s an important statement that is frequently bandied about for political causes. The “Sanctity of life,” however, is a very real and very tangible concept in…

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Chukat 5781-2021

“The Paradox of the Red Heifer” (updated and revised from Chukat-Balak 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Chukat, we learn of the inscrutable law of…

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The Truth About Mitzvot

It is recorded in the Midrash Rabbah that Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai was once confronted by a man who challenged him about the purifying ritual of the Red Heifer (click here for details)…

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Vayikra 5768-2008

"Infallibility in Judaism" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayikra, we are told of the many types of offerings that were brought in the ancient Tabernacle. In…

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Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5769-2009

"Blood–the Essence of Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Tzav, the Torah declares rather definitively, (Leviticus 7:26), "V'chol dahm lo toch'loo b'chol mohsh'voh'taychem,"…

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Passover Writings

Passover Writings Order in Ten Plagues by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Demystifying…Bedikat Chametz (The Search for Chametz)…