Acharei Mot 5774-2014
“Prelude to Holiness” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The name of this week’s Torah portion, Acharei Mot, literally means “in the aftermath of the deaths of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Abihu.”…
Chanukah,Weekly Message,Mikeitz
Mikeitz-Chanukah 5764-2003
"Chanukah--The Struggle of Joseph and Judah" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald It is not at all a coincidence that parashat Mikeitz coincides with the festival of Chanukah. After all, Joseph's…
Mikeitz 5762-2001
"A Dysfunctional Family Becomes Functional" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Mikeitz, the soap opera, I mean, the saga of the family of Jacob continues. And what…
Shemot 5778-2017
“The Missing Years in the Life of Moses” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shemot, we read of the enslavement of the Jewish people and the birth of…
Vayeishev 5781-2020
“Judah, The Paradigm for Jewish Future” (Updated and revised from Vayeishev 5762-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Vayeishev, is one of the most…
Vayishlach 5784-2023
Urgent message: Given the most challenging situation in Israel at this time, I urge all to pray for the bereaved families, the hostages, the missing and the many casualties. Please try…
Mikeitz 5784-2023
Urgent message: Given the most challenging situation in Israel at this time, I urge all to pray for the bereaved families, the hostages, the missing and the many casualties. Please try to…
Acharei Mot,Weekly Message,Kedoshim
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5764-2004
"The Jewish Attitude Toward Sexuality" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Both of this week's parashiot, Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, contain extensive instructions regarding forbidden marriages…
Shelach 5766-2006
"Who was Caleb?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Shelach is probably the saddest parasha in the Torah. It is in this weekly portion that the Israelite men of the Exodus generation…
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…