Kee Tavo 5777-2017
“The Choice Parts to G-d” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Kee Tavo is best known for the second תּוֹכֵחָה , Tochacha, G-d’s second reproof of the People of Israel. The first is…
Sukkot 5778-2017
“Jewish Unity and the Festival of Sukkot” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Of all the Jewish holidays, the one holiday that is singled out as a “Festival of Joy” is Sukkot. As the Torah in…
Before You Light at Sundown
Just before lighting candles for Shabbat, say a prayer for those you know who need to be healed or are waiting to meet their soul mate. The Talmud Baba Kamma 92a notes that if a person…
Enrich Yourself
Set aside time each day to study Torah and uncover God’s incredible blueprint for Jewish living. The Torah is so vast, and appears so daunting, that a person might say, why start studying…
Know Your Matriarchs
Study the Torah and its commentaries to appreciate the special qualities that the Matriarchs possessed. A closer look at the life of our Matriarch Sarah, details a difficult life, one…
The Foolishness of a Hardened Heart
Learn from the mistakes made by Pharaoh and other tyrants and the futility of trying to control others. Human nature sometimes compels us to reject personal responsibility and…
Facing Jerusalem
Be sure to face toward the direction of Jerusalem, the spiritual focal point of the world, before beginning to recite the Amidah, the silent devotion prayer. To better appreciate the…
Enhance Your Shabbat
To enhance your Shabbat experience, find time to learn or review Shabbat guidelines. Set aside some time for Jewish study this Shabbat and enjoy this thought from Rabbi Ephraim Z.…
The Five Names of Rosh Hashana
In Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashana has several names that can help us understand the importance and power of this holiday. Rosh Hashana literally means "Head of the Year" because Rosh…
The Great Hoshana (Hoshana Rabbah)
Rosh Hashana is known as the Day of Judgment (Yom Hadin), the day on which God judges the world. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the day on which God finalizes His verdict on the…