Passover 5766-2006
"Ancient Customs in a New Light" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Due to the festival of Passover, the regular Torah reading from the book of Leviticus is not read until after the holiday.…
Shoftim 5765-2005
"The Extent of Rabbinic Authority" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Shoftim, 41 new Torah laws--14 positive and 27 negative mitzvot--are introduced.…
Bamidbar 5765-2005
"Lessons from Traveling in the Wilderness" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Bamidbar, the people of Israel are counted, the structure of the tribal…
Kee Tisah 5765-2005
"Shabbat as a Priority in Jewish Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Although there are many dramatic moments in the latter parts of parashat Kee Tisah, the early parts of the parasha…
Bamidbar 5764-2004
"Surviving the Wilderness" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Bamidbar, the Israelites enter the wilderness of Sinai and begin their journey to the land of…
Sukkot 5785-2024
“Sukkot - The Festival of Joy” (updated and revised from Sukkot I 5767-2006) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The festival of Sukkot is regarded as the most joyous of all the Jewish holidays.…
Yom Kippur 5785-2024
“G-d’s Gift to His People on Yom Kippur” (updated and revised from Yom Kippur 5765-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Because of the observance of Yom Kippur, the final weekly Torah…
Re’eh 5784-2024
“Adding or Subtracting” (updated and revised from Re’eh 5766-2006) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Re’eh is a rich and colorful parasha, that contains 55 mitzvot--17 positive and 38…
Sir Moses Montefiore
Sir Moses Montefiore (1784-1885) had an extraordinary impact on the world. Beginning a career in general business, Montefiore quickly gained one of the 12 brokers’ licenses that were set…
Va’etchanan 5784-2024
“The Jewish Attitude Toward Intermarriage” (updated and revised from Va’etchanan 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Va’etchanan, is chock-full…