Prepare for the Seder V
The words “Passover offering” refers to the lamb or goat that was offered and eaten the night of the first Seder in Egypt. That offering had to be prepared for 4 days before Passover and…
Vayikra 5766-2006
"Eternal Lessons from Ancient Sacrifices" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Can the ancient sacrificial rituals possibly convey a relevant message for contemporary times? At first blush, not very…
Zodiac
Horoscopes are fun to read, especially when they tell you that you are about to get rich or find sudden fame. While telling the future through one’s horoscope is not part of Judaism, this…
Chayei Sarah 5781-2020
“The Personality of Isaac: The Passive Patriarch” (updated and revised from Chayei Sarah 5761–2000) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, we learn…
Shelach 5781-2021
“What’s in a Name?” (updated and revised from Shelach 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s Torah portion, parashat Shelach, the Torah recounts the fateful saga of the…
Shemini 5765-2005
"The Little Steps that Lead to Big Accomplishments" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shemini, we encounter Moses and Aaron on the eve of one of the most…
Emor 5767-2007
"Waiting Until the Eighth Day" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The opening portion of parashat Emor highlights the rules governing the lifestyle and comportment of the Cohanim (priests).…
Vayakhel 5768-2008
"Rochel the Riveter" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Vayakhel, continues the excruciatingly detailed description of the building of the Tabernacle and its…
Shelach 5766-2006
"Who was Caleb?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Shelach is probably the saddest parasha in the Torah. It is in this weekly portion that the Israelite men of the Exodus generation…
Yom Kippur 5765-2004
"G-d's Gift to His People on Yom Kippur" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The Torah reading scheduled for this Shabbat would normally have been V'zot Habracha--the final parasha of the Torah.…