Chukat 5770-2010

"And from Mattanah to Nahaliel" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Chukat, after a series of battles and confrontations with hostile nations, the Torah records…

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Balak 5770-2010

"A Nation that Dwells Alone" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Balak, Balak, the king of Moab, retains the services of the renowned gentile prophet, Bilaam, to…

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Matot-Masei 5763-2003

"The Massacre of the Midianites: Does Judaism Countenance Genocide?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald We have learned in Parashat Balak that Balaam finally realized that the Jews could not…

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Chol Hamoed Pesach 5764-2004

"With G-d as Our Partner" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This Shabbat, instead of the regular Torah portion, Exodus 33:12-34:26 is read, which makes references to the "13 Attributes of G-d's…

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Yom Hashoah 5762-2002

"Reflections on The Holocaust" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Yom Hashoah is observed on the 27th of Nisan, which this year will be on Monday evening, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9. I have…

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Shavuot 5766-2006

"Appreciating Shavuot" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Of all the major holidays and festivals of the Jewish people, the one that is least known and least appreciated is the festival of…

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Shavuot 5763-2003

"The Remarkable Legacy of Ruth, the Righteous Convert" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Because, this year, the festival of Shavuot falls on Friday and Shabbat, the regular parasha, Naso, is…

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Mishpatim 5771-2011

"Protecting the Rights of a Wife" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Mishpatim, we encounter the law of the Hebrew maidservant, which we have already discussed…

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Re’eh 5773-2013

"How Far Must We Go to Avoid Evil?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Re’eh, we learn of the Biblical command that the People of Israel must destroy all…

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Vayakhel 5774-2014

“Lip Service is Hardly Enough” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayakhel, the people of Israel deliver their abundant contributions to be used in constructing…

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