Re’eh 5762-2002
"Changing and Updating Jewish Law" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Re'eh, we encounter a fascinating law known in rabbinic literature as Shmitat…
Skeptic’s Day: Or is It?
Happy “Skeptics Day,” is the annual opportunity to acknowledge those who need absolute evidence before believing anything. What does Jewish wisdom teach about skepticism? In a Jewish…
Stairs or Ramps?
“National Take the Stairs Day,” is celebrated on the second Wednesday of January. It is an opportunity to take a small step toward better health. A 160-pound individual who climbs stairs…
Jewish Heroism
A Jewish hero, Jewish wisdom asserts, is one who can acknowledge wrongdoing and rectify the future by avoiding the misdeed.
Bamidbar 5782-2022
“The Role of the Levites, and the Service of Yeshiva Students in the Israeli Army.” (updated and revised from Bamidbar 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week, we begin to…
Kee Teitzei 5767-2007
"Concern for the Property of Others" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Kee Teitzei contains seventy-two mitzvot, more commandments than any other parasha in the Torah. Of the many…
Nitzavim,Rosh Hashana,Weekly Message
Nitzavim-Rosh Hashana 5779-2018
“Whatever Became of Sin?” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald According to Rabbi Hayyim Angel, this week’s parasha, parashat Nitzavim, contains “one of the greatest expositions on repentance in…
Bereshith 5779-2018
“Who was Enoch?” In this week’s parasha, parashat Bereishith, the Torah, in Genesis 5, lists the genealogy of humankind, enumerating the names of the ten generations of descendants from…
Kee Teitzei 5763-2003
"The Torah's Radical Approach to Child Rearing" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Kee Teizei, we learn of a seemingly horrific Torah law, the statute of…
Re’eh 5780-2020
Re'eh 5780-2020 “Changing and Updating Jewish Law” (updated and revised from parashat Re’eh 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Re’eh, we encounter a…