The Blessings of the Amidah: Requesting Forgiveness
The nineteen blessings of the Amidah make up the core of the Jewish prayer service. If we want God to accept our repentance, as mentioned in the fifth blessing, we begin the process…
Vayeira 5760-1999
"The Preciousness of Hospitality" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As this week's parasha, parashat Vayeira, opens, aged Abraham, 99 years old, is sitting at the entrance of his tent in the…
Tazria 5768-2008
"The Odd Ritual Practices of the Metzorah!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald According to rabbinic tradition, the "tzah'ra'aht" affliction is not a bodily disease, but a physical…
Bo 5760-2000
"Rational Love and Emotional Love: A Lesson from T'fillin" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat Bo, we read of the concluding three plagues: locusts,…
Did You Say Satan?
The word Satan derives from the Hebrew satan, literally “hinderer.” However, the common Christian belief that Satan is a fallen angel who opposes God by tempting humans to sin is…
The Blessings of the Amidah: Gratitude
The nineteen blessings of the Amidah make up the core of the Jewish prayer service. The eighteenth blessing is an outright statement of gratitude. It is the longest of the nineteen…
The Blessings of the Amidah: Requests
The nineteen blessings of the Amidah make up the core of the Jewish prayer service. The sixteenth blessing is the final blessing in the section of the Amidah that focuses on requests. It…
The Blessings of the Amidah: Destruction of Our Enemies
The nineteen blessings of the Amidah make up the core of the Jewish prayer service. The twelfth blessing was actually added after the destruction of the Second Temple. This blessing calls…
The Blessings of the Amidah: Destruction of Our Enemies
The nineteen blessings of the Amidah make up the core of the Jewish prayer service. The twelfth blessing was actually added to the prayer after the destruction of the Second Temple. This…