Bamidbar 5763-2003

"The Role of the Levites, and the Service of Yeshiva students in the Israeli Army" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week we begin to study the fourth book of the Torah, Sefer Bamidbar,…

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Pekudei 5763-2003

"The Lesson of the Basin: 'Don't Judge a Book by its Cover'" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Pekudei, opens with a reckoning of all the precious materials that…

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Mikeitz-Chanukah 5761-2000

"What is Chanukah Really About?" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This coming week's parasha, Parashat Mikeitz, deals with the continuing saga of Joseph, specifically Pharaoh's dream, Joseph's…

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Passover 5760-2000

"The Passover Seder–Focus on the Children" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald As is the practice on all Shabbatot that coincide with Jewish holidays, the Torah portion for this coming Shabbat is…

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Bo 5760-2000

"Rational Love and Emotional Love: A Lesson from T'fillin" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat Bo, we read of the concluding three plagues: locusts,…

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Vayishlach 5760-1999

"The Massacre of Shechem, Can it be Justified?" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald As this week's parasha, parashat Vayishlach commences, Jacob prepares for the fateful confrontation with his…

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Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

The holiday of Shemini Atzeret, literally the “Gathering of the Eighth,” is a connected, yet independent holiday that immediately follows Sukkot, which begins tonight. During the seven…

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Bereshith 5785-2024

“P’roo Ur’voo--Jewish Attitudes Toward Procreation” (updated and revised from Bereshith-Simchat Torah 5765-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald For some parents, the greatest gift in life…

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Rejoicing For The World

Among the unique rituals performed on the holiday of Sukkot were the additional offerings that were sacrificed in the ancient Temple. On the first day of the holiday, 13 young bulls were…

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Joined Together as One

Recognize that the significance of picking up the Four Species together at once represents the symbolic joining together of all Jews regardless of background and level of prior Jewish…

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