Tetzaveh 5771-2011

"Do Clothes Make The Man?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Tetzaveh, we learn about the four basic priestly vestments that were worn by all priests, and the…

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Vayakhel 5771-2011

"Straying from Lofty Spiritual Moorings" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayakhel, Moses speaks to the entire nation of Israel and reviews with them the…

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Pekudei 5771-2011

"The Meaning of the Priestly Vestments" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Pekudei, opens with a full accounting of the precious metals-–gold, silver and…

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Vayikra 5771-2011

"No Leaven or Honey on the Altar" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald With this week’s parasha, parashat Vayikra, Jews, in synagogues throughout the world, begin to read the third of the Five Books…

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Tazria 5771-2011

“Childbirth and Ritual Impurity” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Our latest grandchild, Yosef Yehudah Berger, was born to our children, Ayelet and Gavriel Berger, on Thursday, March 10th,…

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Acharei Mot 5771-2011

"The Unfathomable Practice of Molech Worship" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In Leviticus 18, the last chapter of this week's parasha, parashat Acharei Mot, we encounter a long list of…

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Kedoshim 5771-2011

“Judaism’s Radical Notion of Holiness” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald One of the most profound statements in the Torah is found in the opening verses of this week’s parasha, parashat…

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Bechukotai 5771-2011

"Peace--The Greatest of All Blessings" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Bechukotai, is one of two parashiot that include the Tochachah, G-d’s reproof of the Jewish…

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Bamidbar 5771-2011

“Good Neighbors and Bad Neighbors” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Bamidbar, we learn of the configuration of the camps of Israel that surrounded the…

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Shelach 5771-2011

"Challah–-All Possessions Are From the L-rd" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The primary narrative of this week’s parasha, parashat Shelach, concerns the episode of the scouts (spies) who…

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