Bo 5783-2023
“The Subtle Secrets of the 10 Plagues” (updated and revised from Bo 5763-2003) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Bo, describes the last three of the ten…
Terumah-Purim 5761-2001
"Amalek, Purim and the Mitzvah of Getting Drunk" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Terumah, coincides with Parashat Zachor, the special reading from…
Miriam
From a young age, the Biblical Miriam was noted for her prophetic voice, declaring that her mother would bear a son who would redeem the Children of Israel…
Miriam
From a young age, the Biblical Miriam was noted for her prophetic voice, declaring that her mother would bear a son who would redeem the Children of Israel (Talmud Megillah 14a). In fact,…
Mikeitz 5769-2008
"Measure for Measure" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In ancient civilizations, it was not uncommon for legal systems to practice what is known as Lex Talionis, an eye for an eye or measure for…
Eikev 5763-2003
"Is There Truth to the Notion of Spiritual Accountability?" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This coming week's Torah portion, Parashat Eikev, contains the well-known second paragraph of the…
Korach 5769-2009
"A Controversy with an Ignoble Purpose" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Korach, we read of the rebellion that Korach led against Moses, Aaron and G-d.…
Vayeira 5770-2009
"Hospitality at Its Finest" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald At the conclusion of last week's parasha, parashat Lech Lecha, we learn that, at age 99, Abraham had undergone the painful…
Shemini 5763-2003
"Using, Not Abusing, a Sanctified Substance" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, Parashat Shemini, opens on the eighth and final day of the inauguration of the newly…
Shemini 5774-2014
“This is What the L-rd Meant When He Said” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shemini, we read of the untimely and tragic deaths of Aaron’s two sons, Nadav and…