Behar 5776-2016
“Bernie Sanders Meets Parashat Behar" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Behar, introduces many of the Torah’s revolutionary economic ideas (see Behar 5765-2005).…
Jewish Jeaneology
February 26, celebrated as “Levi Strauss Day,” is the day, in 1829, that marked the birth of the blue-jeans icon. Born in Bavaria, Levi Strauss immigrated, along with his mother and two…
No Refuge in Alaska
Purchased from the Russian Empire in 1867, the territory of Alaska was the United States’ “Last Frontier.” Following its 1899 gold rush, which helped lay the foundation of Alaskan…
Montana’s Jewish History
Montana is not a state known for its large Jewish community, and yet the early Jewish settlers made a distinct mark on the cities in which they lived. The first Jewish community developed…
Traveling Man
When Rabbi Jacob Levi Saphir (1822-1886) was 10, his family moved from Oshmiani, a town in the greater municipality of Vilna, to the city of Safed, Palestine (Israel). By the time he was…
Jewish Jeaneology
February 26, celebrated as “Levi Strauss Day,” is the day, in 1829, that marked the birth of the blue jeans icon. Born in Bavaria, Levi Strauss immigrated, along with his mother and two…
Jewish Jeaneology
February 26th, celebrated as “Levi Strauss Day,” is the day in 1829, that marked the birth of the blue jeans icon. Born in Bavaria, Levi Strauss immigrated, along with his mother and two…
Bereshith 5769-2008
"The Development of Civilization as Recorded in Genesis" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald The Torah is not intended to serve as a history lesson or as a chronicle of the development of ancient…
Tetzaveh 5770-2010
"The Central Role of the Golden Altar and the Incense" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The order of the Torah's instructions, regarding the furnishings of the Tabernacle and the vestments…
Vayakhel 5760-2000
"Jewish Women and Jewish Destiny" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat Vayakhel, we encounter an intriguing set of verses. The vast majority of Parashat…