Rav Saadia Gaon

Rabbi Saadia ben Joseph, known by the appellation Rav Saadia Gaon (Gaon, meaning light, was the honorific title given to the religious leader of the Jewish community in Babylon) is best…

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Martin Buber

I and Thou (Ich und Du), the best-known philosophical work of Martin Buber (February 8, 1878–June 13, 1965), was published in 1923. I and Thou presents Buber’s philosophy of dialogue, the…

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The Sabbath of Remembering

This Shabbat is Shabbat Parashat Zachor, the Sabbath of Remembering. The Torah portion that is read as the Maftir (additional) portion, after the conclusion of the regular weekly Torah…

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Shoftim 5760-2000

"War, the Jewish Community and Jewish Family Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shoftim, we learn in great detail about the extensive preparations…

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Judaism vs. Hellenism

Judaism vs. Hellenism Why did the interaction of the Greeks and the Jews create such problems? What was there about Hellenism…

Noah 5760-1999

"Does the Torah ever distort the truth?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald There is a fascinating and enlightening story brought down in Genesis 11, of this week's parasha, Noah. It is…

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Kee Tavo 5764-2004

"The Centrality of Joy in Jewish Observance" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Kee Tavo is one of the two parashiot in the Torah that features the terrifying prophecies known as the…

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Purim

Happy Purim! The megillah is read the evening of and during the day on The time of year has come again – Purim festivities! A smile instantly jumps to your face as…

Tzav-Purim 5760 – 2000

"Remembering Amalek: A Contemporary View" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald While this coming week's parasha is Parashat Tzav, I would rather focus today on the joyous, but complex holiday…

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Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5760-2000

"An Exclusive Covenant with an Inclusive Philosophy" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's double parashiot, Nitzavim-Vayeilech, we encounter Moshe on the last day of his…

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