Rosh Hashana 5772-2011
"The Dialectic of Joy and Fear" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald There is an inherent inconsistency with respect to the nature of the High Holidays. On the one hand, these fateful days of…
Brisket!
On this “Brisket Day,” celebrated annually on May 28th, it behooves Jews to contemplate our obsession with this delicious and popular holiday main course. Brisket is considered one of the…
Can Jews Be Part Of “No Beard Day”?
Today is National No Beard Day. The Torah states in Leviticus 19:27: "Do not cut the hair on the corners of your head; Do not cut the corners of your beard." This is one of the rare…
The Inanity of the Blood Libel
Of all the unfounded accusations leveled at the Jewish people by anti-Semites throughout the ages, the most ludicrous is that of the blood libel, that of Jews murdering non-Jewish…
What A Pretty Little
Appearances can be deceiving. Take little children, for instance. “What a pretty little girl” might be a misplaced compliment in many traditional communities where it is customary to…
Re’eh 5767-2007
"Prohibition Against Excessive Grief" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Re'eh, we learn of the prohibition of excessive mourning and grief for those who pass…
No Holiday as Joyous
Tu b’Av (The Fifteenth of Av) which is tomorrow, 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…
No Holiday as Joyous
Tu b’Av (The Fifteenth of Av), which is today, 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…
Vayeira 5775-2014
“One Woman’s Cry” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeira, we read the well-known biblical narrative regarding the destruction of the evil cities of Sodom…
Eikev 5761-2001
"The Intermarriage Conundrum" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The opening verses of this week's parasha, parashat Eikev, conclude the theme that was the focus of the final part of last…