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.”…

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Yitro 5777-2017

“The Earthen Altar: Reaching up to Heaven"   by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald At the very end of this week’s parasha, parashat Yitro, immediately following the Ten Commandments, the…

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Prayers for Israeli Soldiers

These are difficult days for the Jewish people. Vivid print descriptions and horrific images are being circulated of the atrocities committed against Jews living in Israel in recent days.…

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Maggid

Maggid Table of ContentsMaggid, the section of the Seder where we fulfill the mitzvah of telling the story of the Exodus, is a…

Bentching/Birkat HaMazon/Grace After Meals

Birkat HaMazonGrace After MealsBentching How easy it is, when we are wanting, to ask G-d for the food, to remember our “please…

Tisha b’Av

Tisha b’Av The saddest day in the Jewish calendar, believed to be a day which is destined for tragedy.  Guide…

The Second President

Yitzchak Ben-Zvi, the second President of the State of Israel, was born on November 24, 1884 in Poltava, Ukraine.  After participating in the Jewish self-defense units organized…

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Re’eh 5763-2003

"The Elusive Blessing of  'Peace'" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's Torah portion, Parashat Re'eh, contains some of the most exalted verses in the entire Torah concerning G-d's…

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Shoftim 5765-2005

"The Extent of Rabbinic Authority" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Shoftim, 41 new Torah laws--14 positive and 27 negative mitzvot--are introduced.…

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Bereshith 5762-2001

"The Origins and Meanings of Evil" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Especially in light of the World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist bombings, human beings all over the world are…

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