Weekly Message,Vayeitzei

Vayeitzei 5773-2012

"The Complex Relationship Between Jacob, Rachel and Leah" In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeitzei, Jacob, who has fled from his father’s home in BeerSheba where Esau seeks to kill him,…

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Rosh Hashana,Weekly Message,Haazinu

Haazinu-Rosh Hashana 5774-2013

"Jewish Normal, Is Not Very Normal" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Haazinu, Moses, speaking to the People of Israel on the last day of his life, continues…

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Weekly Message,Bechukotai

Bechukotai 5774-2014

“The Role of Exile in Jewish Theology” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we have noted previously (Kee Tavo 5762-2002), parashat Bechukotai is one of the two parashiot in the Torah,…

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Devarim,Weekly Message

Devarim 5765-2005

"The Book of Deuteronomy–Mishneh Torah and the Purpose of Repetition" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Devarim, marks the commencement of the fifth book of the…

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Vayishlach,Weekly Message

Vayishlach 5761-2000

"The Proper and Improper use of Zealotry" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Vayishlach, we encounter, in chapter 34, a very painful and distressing story…

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Articles,Judaism,Chanukah,Chanukah ResourcesJudaism,Chanukah,Literacy

The Story of Chanukah

The Story of Chanukah How a small band of Jewish renegades took on the Syrian-Greek army. Under the Hellenist Rule When the…

Judaism,Chanukah,Chanukah ResourcesChanukah,Resources,Literacy,Judaism

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…

Articles,Judaism,Chanukah,Chanukah ResourcesJudaism,Chanukah,Literacy

Chanukah Heroines

Chanukah Heroines There are two famous stories about women associated with Chanukah, the story of Yehudit and the story of…

Weekly Message,Shelach

Shelach 5775-2015

“The Sin of the Spies--Revisited” By Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shelach, we read of the sin of the scouts whom Moses sent out, at G-d’s behest, to scout…

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Vayechi,Weekly Message

Vayechi 5776-2015

“Jacob Maintains a Bitter Grudge Against Simeon and Levi” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayechi, Jacob blesses his twelve sons prior to his death. Even…

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