Kedoshim 5776-2016
“Tattoos" In Parashat Kedoshim the Torah proclaims the prohibition of making cuts on one’s skin as a sign of mourning and forbids drawing permanent tattoos on the body. Scripture, in…
Haazinu/Sukkot 5777-2016
“Sukkot: Enveloping Israel in G-d’s Loving-kindness” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The majestic song/poem of parashat Haazinu opens with a lyrical summary of Jewish history. Speaking in…
Kee Teitzei 5777-2017
“Lessons from the Wayward Son” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Kee Teitzei, we learn of the law of the “Ben soh’rayr oo’moh’reh,” בֵּן סוֹרֵר וּמוֹרֶה ,…
Haazinu,Rosh Hashana,Weekly Message
Rosh Hashana-Ha’azinu 5778-2017
“The Blame Game” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald America, and the American media, in fact, the world and world media, are frequently consumed with what is known as the “Blame Game.” Is Kim…
Mishpatim 5778-2018
“Heaven Made Me Do It!” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Mishpatim, serves as the basis of the Hebrew system of jurisprudence. It is the fourth most numerous…
Va’eira 5779-2018
"The Cups of Redemption" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Va’eira, contains the Torah’s source for the custom of drinking four cups of wine at the Passover…
Kee Tavo 5768-2008
"Redeeming Captives" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Kee Tavo is one of two parashiot in the Torah that are known as the Tochacha, G-d's reproach of the Jewish people. In this Torah…
Naso 5769-2009
"An Extreme Lifestyle" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Naso, we encounter two particularly challenging themes. We read of the Sotah, a woman suspected of…
Weekly Message,Genesis,Terumah
Terumah 5771-2011
“The Message of the Holy Ark” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Terumah, we learn, in great detail, of the building of the Tabernacle. G-d tells Moses to…
Jews and Bubble Gum
The first Friday in February is celebrated as “Bubble Gum Day.” Ruth Spiro, an author of children’s books who chews gum as an avocation, proposed the day in 2006 to enable children to…