For Posterity
Write down your Hebrew name and the Hebrew names of the rest of your family. Put this information away with your other important family documents.
The Month of Mar-Cheshvan
Today and tomorrow are Rosh Chodesh, and tomorrow is the first day of the month of Mar-Cheshvan, which is the eighth month of the Hebrew calendar (the count of the months begins with…
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…
The Month of Av
The months of the Jewish year are called in the Torah by number only (the first month, second month, etc.). Over time, during the exile, the months assumed the names given to them by host…
Shelach 5784-2024
“Bread Alone” (updated and revised from Shelach 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As the name of the parasha indicates, שְׁלַח לְךָ--send for yourself, this week’s parasha focuses…
Lions and Jerusalem Day
The original city of Jerusalem, conquered by King David from the Jebusites, is now known as Ir David, situated in the Silwan neighborhood, south of the Temple Mount. Over time, Jerusalem…
Va’eira 5784-2024
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…
Adopting Moses
In this week’s Torah portion, Shemot, Pharaoh issues his edict directing the Jewish midwives; “When you deliver the Hebrew women, and you see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you…
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…
World Hello Day
In 1973, Brian and Michael McCormack created "World Hello Day" as a reaction to the Yom Kippur War. College students at the time, the McCormack brothers started a campaign encouraging…