Korach 5765-2005
"Lessons from the Rebels" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Korach, we learn about the infamous rebellion of Korach and his cohorts against G-d and…
Shavuot 5760-2000
"The Anonymous Holiday" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This Thursday night, Friday and Shabbat, we will celebrate the joyous festival of Shavuot. On the Hebrew calender it is the sixth and…
Vayechi 5768-2007
"The Struggle Over the Birthright" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The struggle over the birthright is a recurring theme throughout the book of Genesis: Cain and Abel, Ishmael and Isaac,…
Vayikra 5772-2012
“Pass the Salt, Please!” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayikra, we learn of the obligation of placing salt on all sacrificial offerings, including all…
Vayeitzei 5778-2017
“Three Wells ” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeitzei, Jacob leaves Beer Sheba to escape the wrath of Esau and travels to Haran to be with his uncle,…
No Holiday as Joyous
Tu b’Av (The Fifteenth of Av) is no longer the well-known holiday on the Jewish calendar that it was in ancient times. In fact, the Talmud states that: “There were no holidays so joyous…
No Holiday as Joyous
Tu b’Av (The Fifteenth of Av) is no longer the well-known holiday on the Jewish calendar that it was in ancient times. In fact, the Talmud states that: “There were no holidays so…
The Real Thing
With a bit of creativity, one can easily think of reasons why a person might assume a new identity. Sometimes it is a need for safety, such as those who enter the Witness Protection…
Hands Upon Waking
Everyone has their own particular morning routine. However, whether one has a preference for brushing one's teeth before breakfast or after breakfast, there is one morning routine…
Explain Ourselves
While Judaism may appear to be a religion with many holidays and an interesting history, those who explore the religion more deeply soon realize that it is a lifestyle based on a complex…