Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5763-2003

"Choosing Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald There's something very distinctive about the arrival of the Jewish New Year. Whenever the Jewish High Holiday season draws near there's always…

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Yom Kippur-The Day

Yom Kippur - The Day Table of Contents Customs and Laws Yom Kippur Prayers Focusing on Vidui Afternoon Service Yizkor…

Va’etchanan 5760-2000

"The Torah's Radical Approach to Parenting" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This Wednesday evening (August 9) and Thursday (August 10), we will observe Tisha b'Av, the Fast of the 9th of Av,…

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Vayechi 5766-2006

"The Passing of a Patriarch" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayechi, we read of the passing of the patriarch Jacob. The Torah tells us that as soon as…

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Shoftim 5762-2002

"The Torah - the First Environmentalist Treatise" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's Torah portion, parashat Shoftim, we find many interesting and challenging ideas. It is…

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Va’eira 5763-2002

"The Exodus--A 'Primitive' Story with Revolutionary Implications" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Jewish history is often perceived, with great justification I might add, as one unending…

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Noah 5768-2007

"Noah: A Biblical Profile" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald When compared to the dynamic Abraham and even to the self-indulgent Adam, Noah often pales in comparison to these two great fathers…

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Shelach 5764-2004

"Where Did the Spies Go Wrong?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shelach, G-d tells Moses (Numbers 13:2): "Sh'lach l'chah ah'nah'shim, v'yah'too'roo et Eretz…

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Pinchas 5768-2008

"The Zealotry of Pinchas as Seen Through the Midrash" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Last week's parasha, parashat Balak, closed with the story of Pinchas' zealotry. As we read in that…

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Emor 5772-2012

"Lessons from a Priest’s Wanton Daughter" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Emor, highlights the special status of the Kohanim, the priests, in the community of…

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