Transparent Honesty
Be honest in your dealings with all people. In Tractate Shabbat, 55A, we are taught, Chotamo shel Hakadosh Baruch Hu emet, that the seal of God is truth. At the beginning of the third…
Emor 5783-2023
“Striving for Perfection” (updated and revised from Emor 5766-2006) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Emor, the theme of “perfection” appears repeatedly in…
Remember to say “Thank You”
Tonight, after enjoying a delicious meal in honor of Shabbat, recite Birkat Hamazon, the Grace After Meals. In Deuteronomy 8:10, we are told V’achalta v’savata, u’verachta, that you will…
Worth The Visit
Given the proximity of the Western Wall to where the Holy of Holies in the Temple once stood, if you haven't already, try to plan a trip in your lifetime to visit the Western Wall where…
Bamidbar 5783-2023
“Surviving the Wilderness” (updated and revised from Bamidbar 5764-2004) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Bamidbar, the Israelites enter the…
Jewish Matchmaking
“Matchmaker, matchmaker / Look through your book / And make me a perfect match…” (Fiddler on the Roof). With the widespread proliferation of internet dating sites such as eHarmony,…
Study Partners
Schedule time to study Torah and Jewish thought with others as it will sharpen and help refine your understanding. In the very same chapter of Pirkei Avot/Ethics of the Fathers that…
Korach 5783-2023
"The Power of Strife" (updated and revised from Korach 5764-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Korach, we learn of the frightful rebellion of Korach and…
A Trap of Wealth
If I were a rich man…The most important men in town will come to fawn on me…When you’re rich they think you really know… The now classic words from the Broadway show “Fiddler on the Roof”…
Giving Back
Think about ways in which you can volunteer and give back to your community. One of the biggest benefits of giving back to members of the community is interacting with different types of…