Tzav 5764-2004

"Making the Menial Hallowed and Mundane Holy" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Tzav, continues parashat Vayikra's theme of sacrifices. The laws of the…

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B’shalach 5765-2005

"Vah'chah'moo'shim–-A Call to Arms?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat B'shalach, Pharaoh sends the people out of land of Egypt, but after a change of…

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Festival Facts

Festival Facts Table of Contents Matzah Moshe (Moses) Pharoah Matzah BakingTo guarantee that matzah is Kosher for Passover,…

Matot 5768-2008

"Striving for Refined Speech" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Matot, we learn of the laws that govern vows and oaths, known in Hebrew as nedarim and…

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Matot 5765-2005

"Love of G-d Trumps Lust for Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Matot, G-d speaks to Moses and tells him (Numbers 31:2): "N'kom nik'mat b'nay Yisrael…

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Kee Teitzei 5770-2010

"Caring for Workers and Domestic Animals" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Kee Teitzei, contains an array of rather impressive, indeed, revolutionary, laws…

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Vayikra 5771-2011

"No Leaven or Honey on the Altar" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald With this week’s parasha, parashat Vayikra, Jews, in synagogues throughout the world, begin to read the third of the Five Books…

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Vayikra 5772-2012

“Pass the Salt, Please!” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayikra, we learn of the obligation of placing salt on all sacrificial offerings, including all…

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Bo 5778-2018

“Deceptions at the Behest of G-d”   by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Bo, we read of the final three plagues that strike the Egyptians and ultimately lead…

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Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5767-2007

"Beards and Payos" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the second of this week's double parashiot, Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, instructions are given regarding "kosher barbering etiquette": the…

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