Shemini 5777-2017
“The Unending Mourning" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shemini, we read of the tragic deaths of Aaron’s two oldest sons, Nadav and Abihu. The deaths…
An Attitude for Living
People who love language, delight in discussing the nuances of word choice. And while it may seem trivial to some, the subtle difference in choosing one particular word over another may…
The Case of the Poisoned Dish
The only narratives included in the Torah are those that help us understand who the Children of Israel are. While some stories are detailed, others are written very much like outlines.…
It’s The Hebrew Alphabet
Aleph - Bet - Gimmel - Daled - Hey...it’s the Hebrew alphabet! According to the Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition, each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet has its own…
Stay Cool
As the summer heats up, people everywhere are turning to whatever means possible to keep cool. Many find relief in the artificial coolness of air conditioning. (Thank goodness for living…
The Septuagint
The Talmud (Megillah 9a-b) relates that King Ptolemy II, the Greek king who ruled Egypt, placed 72 Jewish elders into 72 separate rooms and instructed each of them (individually) to…
Moving On Up
The relationship of the Jews with the Land of Israel is long, varied and quite complex. While Jews have not always had sovereignty over the land, they have almost always had a presence…
Finders Keepers
After a visit from a close friend, a woman finds a gold bracelet on her couch. Immediately, she calls her friend and returns the bracelet. That’s a “no brainer.” After a large luncheon at…
It’s The Hebrew Alphabet
Aleph - Bet - Gimmel - Daled - Hey...it’s the Hebrew alphabet! According to the Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition, each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet has its own meaning…
It’s The Hebrew Alphabet
Aleph – Bet – Gimmel – Daled – Hey…it’s the Hebrew alphabet! According to the Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition, each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet has its own meaning…