Coming of Age
The assumption that every Jewish adult has had a Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration is presumptuous. The assumption that every Jewish adult (other than a convert) has become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is…
Coming of Age
The assumption that every Jewish adult has had a Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration is presumptuous. The assumption that every Jewish adult (other than a convert) has become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is…
Bereshith-Simchat Torah 5766-2005
"P'roo Ur'voo--Jewish Attitudes Towards Procreation" Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald For some parents, the greatest gift in life is having children. For other parents, the greatest challenge, is…
Emor 5769-2009
"The Highest Mitzvah of All!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Emor, the Torah delineates the strict rules for maintaining the absolute purity of the…
Shelach 5773-2013
"Tzitzit: The Unpretentious Mitzvah" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald At the conclusion of this week’s parasha, parashat Shelach, we learn of the mitzvah of Tzitzit, the fringes that are…
Mishpatim 5766-2006
"We Will Do and We Will Obey" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The narrative concerning the great Revelation that was recorded in last week's parasha, parashat Yitro, continues in this week's…
Vayeira 5774-2013
“Greater than Welcoming the Divine Presence” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The opening verses of this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeira, record that the Al-mighty appeared to Abraham in the…
The Four Mitzvot of Purim
Purim is celebrated on Thursday, March 8th (beginning Wednesday evening, March 7th, after sunset). Four mitzvot are associated with the holiday: Megillah Reading - Book of Esther - The…
The Four Mitzvot of Purim
Purim is celebrated on Sunday, March 20th (beginning after Shabbat on March 19th). Four mitzvot are associated with the holiday: Megillah Reading - Book of Esther - The Megillah is read…
Kee Teitzei 5762-2002
"Transforming an Enemy Into a Friend" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This past Thursday and Friday marked Rosh Chodesh Elul, the beginning of the new month of Elul, the month that leads in…