Extended Isru Chag

Today is Isru Chag, the name given to the day that follows the 3 Pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot). Usually the main ritual manifestation on the day of Isru Chag is…

Read More

Vayechi 5761-2001

"Revealing the Time of the Coming of the End of Days" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Vayechi, is the only "sealed" parasha in the Torah, meaning that there are…

Read More

Vayechi 5781-2021

“Revealing the Time of the Coming of the End of Days” (Updated and revised from parashat Vayechi 5761-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Vayechi, is the…

Read More

Shemini 5768-2008

"The Eighth Day" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Shemini, opens with a description of the special service that Aaron and his sons performed on the day of their…

Read More

Tazria-Metzorah 5767-2007

"The Conundrum of Childbirth" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Again, because of the calendrical nuances, this week's parashiot, Tazriah-Metzorah, are combined. While both parashiot deal…

Read More

The Counting of the Omer

The Counting of the Omer We begin counting the days towards the next festival, Shavuot. Sefirat HaOmer – Counting the Omer The…

Passover 5770-2010

"The Festival of Liberation" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald If one were to look at the world from a truly impartial perspective, one might conclude that all human beings are equal, all days…

Read More

Sukkot 5774-2013

"Half for You, and Half for G-d" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In parashat Emor, the Torah states that creative labor is forbidden on the first and seventh day of the festival of Passover.…

Read More

Countdown To Freedom

Americans begin preparing for Thanksgiving days or perhaps a week in advance. But when it comes to Jews and Passover, much more preparation time is needed.Jewish Tradition teaches that we…

Read More

Countdown To Freedom

Americans begin preparing for Thanksgiving days or perhaps a week in advance. But when it comes to Jews and Passover, much more preparation time is needed. Jewish Tradition teaches that…

Read More