Shemini 5768-2008
"The Eighth Day" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Shemini, opens with a description of the special service that Aaron and his sons performed on the day of their…
Noah 5766-2005
"The Seven Commandments Given to the Descendants of Noah" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Noah, G-d blesses Noah and his children after the Flood, and graces…
Vayeira 5778-2017
“The Alliance with Abimelech” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Vayeira, is a rich parasha containing many important topics, including the destruction of Sodom,…
Tzav-Purim 5771-2011
“Shabbat and Purim” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This year, the festival of Purim will be celebrated throughout the world on Saturday evening, March 19th, and Sunday, March 20th (except…
Sukkot 5778-2017
“Jewish Unity and the Festival of Sukkot” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Of all the Jewish holidays, the one holiday that is singled out as a “Festival of Joy” is Sukkot. As the Torah in…
Mikeitz 5765-2004
"Pharaoh's Dream: Learning Through the Nuances" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Mikeitz, we are presented with a unique opportunity to see the…
An Eight or Nine Day Week?
Practically all civilized humanity has agreed on some basic common measures to mark time. A day consisting of 24 hours follows the natural rotation of the earth on its axis. The lunar…
Passover II 5782-2022
Passover II 5782-2022 “Counting the Omer” (Revised and updated from Passover II 5768-2008) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Emor, we learn of the mitzvah of counting the Omer. In…
Jewish Treats,Shavuot,Shavuot Resources
The Feast of Weeks
Shavuot, which we begin celebrating this Thursday night (May 25th), is the only holiday listed in the Torah without the date on which it is to be observed. Rather, the Torah states that…
B’ha’a’lot’cha 5774-2014
“The Difference Between Moses and the Other Prophets” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat B’ha’a’lot’cha, reaches its exciting crescendo in Numbers 12, with the story of Miriam and…