Va’eira 5769-2009
"Why Didn't the Egyptians Rebel Against Pharaoh?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Va'eira, we learn of the first seven plagues that struck Egypt: Blood, frogs, lice, wild…
Bo 5762-2002
"Rituals Work, Rituals Work" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Bo, describes the final three plagues: locusts, darkness and the death of the first born,…
Kee Tavo 5766-2006
"Respect for the Person and the Office" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the opening chapter of this week's parasha, parashat Kee Tavo, we read about the ritual of Bikurim -- the gift of…
Devarim 5760-2000
"Judaism's Unique Views on Justice and the Justice System" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week, we begin reading Deuteronomy, the final book of the five books of the Torah.…
Bo 5773-2013
"Interfacing with the Non-Jewish World" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Bo, we read of the last three plagues--locusts, darkness and the death of the…
Chukat 5773-2013
"Striking the Stone: the Parameters of Anger" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the many topics in this week’s parasha is the report of Miriam’s death and the subsequent lack of water.…
Passover I 5776-2016
“The Children, The Children!” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we have previously discussed (Passover 5760-2000), children play a central role in the Passover Seder and in the Haggadah.…
Weekly Message,Yom Kippur,Vayeilech
Vayeilech-Yom Kippur 5777-2016
“Patience Tempered With Love” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeilech, we once again encounter Moses, on the last day of his life, bidding farewell to his…
Pekudei,Vayakhel,Weekly Message
Vayakhel-Pekudei 5778-2018
"Bringing G-d Home” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s double parshiyot, Vayakhel-Pekudei, pose a significant challenge to all students of Torah. In this week’s parshiyot, the Torah…
Weekly Message,Judaism,Devarim,All Audience,Literacy
Devarim 5779-2019
“Judaism’s Unique View of Justice and the Judicial System” (Revised and updated from Devarim 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week, we begin reading the Book of…