Moses’ “Spartacus Moment”
The episode of the Golden Calf represents one of the most tragic episodes in the history of the Children of Israel. A mere 40-days prior, the Jews stood at the very same Mount Sinai,…
Kee Tisah 5781-2021
“Reverence for Learning in Jewish Tradition” (updated and revised from Kee Tisah 5763-2003) In this week’s parasha, parashat Kee Tisah, we read of the fateful sin of the Jewish people…
Kee Tisah 5770-2010
"Moses Wrestles with G-d" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Ki Tisah, we read of the fateful episode of the Golden Calf. Moses goes up the mountain for forty…
Vayakhel,Pekudei,Genesis,Weekly Message
Vayakhel-Pekudei 5777-2017
"Bezalel--Master Craftsman, Master Teacher” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Vayakhel, the first of this week’s two parashiot, Vayakhel-Pekudei, Moses designates Bezalel…
Vayakhel-Pekudei 5772-2012
“A United People Build the Tabernacle” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Vayakhel, the first of this week’s double parashiot of Vayakhel and Pekudei, we read of the actual…
Vayakhel 5760-2000
"Jewish Women and Jewish Destiny" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat Vayakhel, we encounter an intriguing set of verses. The vast majority of Parashat…
Vayakhel 5779-2019
"Jewish Women and Jewish Destiny" (Revised and updated from Vayakhel 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The vast majority of this week’s parasha, parashat Vayakhel, deals with…
Bo 5764-2004
"The More Things Change..." by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Bo, the enslavement of the Jewish people comes to a dramatic conclusion with the tenth…
Bo 5784-2024
Urgent message: Given the most challenging situation in Israel at this time, I urge all to pray for the bereaved families, the hostages, the missing and the many casualties. Please try to…
Bo 5771-2011
"‘Is This What You Call Borrowing?’--Revisited" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In a previous analysis of parashat Bo (5768-2008), we presented a number of responses to the question of how…