The Blessings Over Food: Ha’ah’dama / Vegetables
The blessing recited over produce that grows from the ground is ha’ah’dama. Certain produce that are called fruit actually receive the ha’ah’dama blessing because of how they grow - for…
Sukkot 5771-2010
“A Turning Point for Humankind” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald To most observers, Sukkot is a festival that is closely associated with the celebration of nature. The Torah (Exodus 34:22)…
B’ha’a’lot’cha 5778-2018
“The Seventy Elders: The Challenge of Jewish Leadership” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the many interesting themes found in this week’s parasha, parashat B’ha’a’lot’cha, is…
Haazinu-Sukkot 5779-2018
“The Challenges of Poverty and Wealth” by Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Haazinu, we read the beautiful song that Moses sang to the Jewish people on the final…
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…
Kee Tavo 5762-2002
"A Contemporary Interpretation of an Ancient Reproof" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Kee Tavo, is one of two parashiot in the Torah that are known as…
Lech Lecha 5761-2000
"Lot, Nephew of Avram: The Promise and the Tragedy" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Lech Lecha, we encounter the fascinating relationship between…
Chanukah Resources,Judaism,ChanukahJudaism,Chanukah,Resources,Literacy
What to do on Chanukah
What to do on ChanukahChanukah is unique amongst the holidays in that it has only a single mitzvah - publicizing the miracle…
Va’eira 5769-2009
"Why Didn't the Egyptians Rebel Against Pharaoh?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Va'eira, we learn of the first seven plagues that struck Egypt: Blood, frogs, lice, wild…
Va’eira 5763-2002
"The Exodus--A 'Primitive' Story with Revolutionary Implications" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Jewish history is often perceived, with great justification I might add, as one unending…