The Unspeakable

The Prophet Jeremiah, lived during the destruction by the Babylonians of Solomon’s Temple, and served as the Jews’ chief consoler as they were being exiled out of Jerusalem. Jeremiah’s…

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Why Were Scouts of the Promised Land Needed?

The most devastating punishment meted out by God in the Torah is described in this week’s parashah. God commands Moses to send 12 scouts – one representing each tribe - to reconnoiter…

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The Seventh Of Av

One Scriptural verse (Kings II 25:8-9) notes that the Babylonians came to the Temple Mount on the 7th of Av while another verse ( Jeremiah 25:12) claims it was on the 10th of the month.…

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To Bee Or Not To Bee

Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Torah written by Moses in first person, describes the highlights and low points of Moses’ tenure as leader of the Jewish people. While offering a…

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Why Were Scouts of the Promised Land Needed?

The most devastating punishment meted out by God in the Torah is described in this week’s Torah portion, parashat Shelach. God commands Moses to send 12 scouts – one representing each…

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Passover Writings

Passover Writings Order in Ten Plagues by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Demystifying…Bedikat Chametz (The Search for Chametz)…

Va’etchanan-Tisha B’Av 5762-2002

"Loving the Land of Israel" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's Torah portion, parashat Va'etchanan, is an extremely rich parasha. The parasha opens with Moshe's plea to G-d to allow…

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B’shalach 5770-2010

"Va'chamushim - Armed or Otherwise" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat B'shalach, after enduring slavery for 110 years (by rabbinic count), the Israelites are…

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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…

A Phoenix in B’nai Brak

Fifty years ago, on September 3, 1969, corresponding to the 20th of Elul, Rabbi Joseph S. Kahaneman, known to the world as the “Ponevezher Rav,” passed away. Who was this man, and what is…

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