Weekly Message,Vayeilech,Yom Kippur

Vayeilech/Yom Kippur 5783-2022

“Difficult Transitions” (Updated and revised from Vayeilech/Yom Kippur 5769-2008) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On the last day of his life, Moses seals the new covenant with the People…

Read More

Chanukah,Chanukah Resources,JudaismLiteracy,Judaism,Chanukah,Resources

What to do on Chanukah

What to do on ChanukahChanukah is unique amongst the holidays in that it has only a single mitzvah - publicizing the miracle…

Tazria,Weekly Message,Metzorah

Tazria-Metzorah 5772-2012

“The Essential Ingredient for Repentance and Prayer--Humility” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Metzorah, the second of this week’s double parashiot, Tazria-Metzorah, we read of…

Read More

Shavuot ResourcesUncategorized

Laws and Customs of Shavuot

ShavuotLaws and Customs Table of Contents Festival Laws The Book of Ruth Customs Shavuot is a low-key, pensive holiday,…

Yom Kippur,Weekly Message

Yom Kippur 5768-2007

"The Role of the Cantor in the High Holiday Services" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E. It was in that Temple and the First Temple that…

Read More

Weekly Message,Eikev

Eikev 5770-2010

"The Great, Mighty and Awesome G-d" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Eikev, we learn of G-d's unconditional love for His people. Notwithstanding Israel's…

Read More

Weekly Message,Rosh Hashana

Rosh Hashana 5768-2007

"The Sounding of the Shofar" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Undoubtedly, the most moving part of the Rosh Hashana service is the sounding of the shofar, which takes place in the service soon…

Read More

ArticlesAll Audience

Ellen Lipkis Letter

A Note from Ellen Lipkis Dear Rabbi Buchwald, Thank you for always being there for the Lipkis family. It is not easy for me to express all that I would like to say to you. Words are not…

Read More

Jewish Treats

A Pleasant Song Composed

The liturgy of the synagogue has developed over the span of Jewish history. Some parts of the service  – such as the Shema, which is a recitation of Biblical text - originate from…

Read More

Jewish Treats

The Additional Service

“In Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), the sages note that the world stands on three things: Torah, Avodah and Gemilut Chasadim (acts of kindness).” The term “avodah” is associated with…

Read More