Vayeitzei 5772-2011
“In Haran--A Kiss is Still a Kiss” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeitzei, Jacob, fleeing for his life from his brother Esau who has threatened to kill…
Naso 5765-2005
"A Lesson from the N’seeim--the Tribal Leaders" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Naso, is almost always read after the festival of Shavuot, except after a…
B’ha’alot’cha 5772-2012
"Eldad and Medad" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the many fascinating topics in this week’s parasha, parashat B’ha’alot’cha, is the story of Eldad and Medad. Eldad and Medad are…
Shelach 5772-2012
"Had I Only Known!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Shelach, is a particularly depressing Torah portion. It is sad not only because of the evil report that the…
Vayikra 5774-2014
“The Essence of Sacrifice” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayikra, we once again encounter the challenging issue of animal sacrifice. In several previous…
Kee Teitzei 5776-2016
“The Mitzvah of Burying the Dead” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As previously noted, this week’s parasha, parashat Kee Teitzei, contains more mitzvot than any other parasha in the…
Rosh Hashana,Weekly Message,Nitzavim
Nitzavim-Rosh Hashana 5776/5777-2016
“Israel’s Charge to Impact on the World” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Nitzavim, Moses, on the last day of his life, renews the Covenant of G-d with His…
Bechukotai,Weekly Message,Behar
Behar-Bechukotai 5780-2020
“Setting a New Standard of Ethical Behavior” (Updated and revised from Parashiot Behar-Bechukotai 5761-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week, we once again read two parashiot,…
Shemini 5783-2023
“The Little Steps that Lead to Big Accomplishments” (updated and revised from Shemini 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As the narrative of this week’s parasha, parashat Shemini,…