Va'etchanan,Weekly Message

Va’etchanan 5779-2019

“The Torah’s Radical Approach to Parenting” (Revised and updated from Va’etchanan 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   This past Saturday evening (August 10th) and Sunday…

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Va'eira,Weekly Message

Va’eira 5779-2018

"The Cups of Redemption" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Va’eira, contains the Torah’s source for the custom of drinking four cups of wine at the Passover…

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Vayechi,Weekly Message

Vayechi 5782-2021

“The Debate: Burial in the Land of Israel” (updated and revised from Vayechi 5762-2001) This week’s parasha, parashat Vayechi, concludes the book of Bereshit, Genesis. Parashat Vayechi…

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Jewish Treats

Purims Plus in Tripoli

Throughout history, Jews have faced times of peril, and when the times of danger were over, Jews always found different ways to express their gratitude to God for their survival. In quite…

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Jewish Treats

Fasting on Friday

The general rule of Jewish fast days is that they cannot occur on Friday. This rule is meant to protect the joy and happiness of Shabbat, for the sages felt that entering Shabbat hungry…

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Jewish Treats

Fasting on Friday

The general rule of Jewish fast days is that they cannot occur on Friday. This rule is meant to protect the joy and happiness of Shabbat, for the sages felt that entering Shabbat hungry…

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Jewish Treats

Chanukah and Divine Order

Chanukah always overlaps with at least one Shabbat (if not two), and since Chanukah begins on the 25th of Kislev and lasts for eight days, the holiday always coincides with the…

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Va'etchanan,Weekly Message

Va’etchanan 5760-2000

"The Torah's Radical Approach to Parenting" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This Wednesday evening (August 9) and Thursday (August 10), we will observe Tisha b'Av, the Fast of the 9th of Av,…

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Shemot,Weekly Message

Shemot 5770-2010

"In Those Days, In These Times" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This message may be a little late, but there seem to be strong parallels between the story of the enslavement of the Jews in…

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Va'etchanan,Weekly Message

Va’etchanan 5775-2015

“Do Not Add...and Do Not Detract” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Va’etchanan, we learn of the fascinating and complex mitzvah of not adding or detracting…

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