Kee Teitzei 5779-2019

“Polygamy, Illegitimacy and Punishing the Innocent” (Revised and updated from Kee Teitzei 5760-2000)   by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   This week’s parasha, parashat Kee Teitzei,…

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Eikev 5769-2009

"Feeding the Animals–Beasts and Humans" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Eikev, we encounter the well known second paragraph of the daily Shema prayer…

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Behar 5782-2022

“Understanding Hebrew and Canaanite Servitude” (updated and revised from Behar 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Behar, we learn of the laws of the…

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Terumah 5783-2023

“Identifying the Essentials of Life” (updated and revised from Terumah 5765-2005) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Terumah, is the first of four parashiot:…

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Metzorah 5763-2003

"The Nidah--Affirming the Value of the Sanctity of Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Towards the end of this week's parasha, parashat Metzorah, we learn the laws of the Zav, the Baal…

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Yitro 5764-2004

"Why G-d Cannot Share the Limelight" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Yitro, the Al-mighty reveals Himself to the People of Israel on Mt. Sinai and…

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Lech Lecha 5772-2011

“The Two Covenants” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Lech Lecha, we learn of two covenants, the Covenant Between the Pieces and the Covenant of Circumcision…

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Re’eh 5775-2015

“The Prohibition of Eating the Limb of a Live Animal” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Re’eh, contains 55 mitzvot--17 positive and 38 negative commandments. It…

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Jewish Boxing Days?

In many countries, especially those associated with the United Kingdom, December 26th is known as Boxing Day. There are divergent views as to the source of this day and the origin of the…

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Toledot 5764-2003

"The Theological Underpinnings of Anti-Semitism" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In our previous study of parashat Toledot for the year 5761-2000, we analyzed the ancient origins and…

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