Behar-Bechukotai 5762-2002

"The Extraordinary Mitzvah of Tzedaka, Charity" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Once again, this week, we read two combined parashiot Behar-Bechukotai. In the first of this coming week's…

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Behar-Bechukotai 5761-2001

"Setting A New Standard of Ethics" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This coming week, we once again read two parashiot, Behar and Bechukotai. In parashat Behar, Leviticus 25, verse 14, we find…

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Bechukotai 5760-2000

"The Big 'IF': The Question of Free Choice" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Bechukotai, is one of the two parashiot of the Torah that are known as the…

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Time to Focus

Since the new month of Mar-Cheshvan does not contain any Jewish holidays, seize the opportunity to attend a class, lecture series or begin studying the weekly Torah portion to enhance…

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His Tricks Were Quite a Treat

It is commonly acknowledged that the magician and escape artist Harry Houdini (1874-1926) set the standard for all performing magicians to come. Many people are also aware of the fact…

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Marvel at the Artistic Accomplishment of Jewish Performers

Many Jews have been trailblazers in the entertainment industry. Take pride in their accomplishments.

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Three Times Strong

One of the beautiful aspects of Jewish living is that it often strives to bring together the spiritual and the practical. Judaism is a growth-oriented religion. At the same time, it is…

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Three Times the Charm

Consider taking on a new mitzvah, going for a daily walk or "unplugging" from mobile devices for an hour each day, and you may find that the more you do it, the more likely it is that it…

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The First Rabbi in America

The first ordained rabbi to serve in an American congregation was Rabbi Abraham Joseph Rice (originally Reiss, 1800-1862). After studying in Germany, in Wurzburg and then Fuerth, Rice was…

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Noah 5785-2024

“Eleven Lessons from Noah’s Ark” (updated and revised from Noah 5765-2004) By Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Noah, we read of the great deluge that inundated…

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