Under Cover of Darkness

Of the ten plagues that devastated the land of Egypt, the plague of darkness appears to be the most benign. Certainly, being trapped in the dark is frightening (sensory deprivation is a…

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The Four Mitzvot of Purim

This year, Purim will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 10th (beginning Monday evening, March 9th, after sunset). Four mitzvot are associated with the holiday: Megillah Reading - Book of…

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The Four Mitzvot of Purim

This year, Purim will be celebrated on Thursday, March 21st (beginning Wednesday evening, March 20th, after sunset). Four mitzvot are associated with the holiday: Megillah Reading - Book…

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Lag Ba’Omer

Lag Ba'Omer33rd of the Omer Table of Contents Lag Ba’Omer Rabbi Akiva – Hero and Martyr Rabbi Shimon…

Va’eira 5777-2017

"The Dangers of Self Delusion” by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Va’eira, we read of the first seven plagues that the Al-mighty visited upon the Egyptians in…

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Weakening Resolve

The Biblical narrative of the 10 plagues visited upon Egypt may, at first glance, seem repetitive - Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh to let the Israelites go to worship God in the wilderness,…

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The Four Mitzvot of Purim

This year, Purim will be celebrated on Thursday, March 1st (beginning Wednesday evening, February 28th, after sunset). Four mitzvot are associated with the holiday: Megillah Reading -…

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Tisha B’Av is Tomorrow*

The saddest day on the Jewish calendar, the ninth of Av, is tomorrow.*   (*)This year the 9th of Av is Shabbat so the fast is observed from sundown Saturday until nightfall on…

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Bo 5770-2010

"Finding Favor in the Eyes of the Egyptians" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Bo, the ninth plague, darkness, strikes. In response to the plague, Pharaoh…

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Va’eira 5771-2011

"Messages from the Nile" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Va’eira, we read of the first seven plagues that strike the Egyptians. The first two plagues, blood…

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