Chanukah Blessings
On the first night of Chanukah, one candle/light is placed on the far right of the menorah. Each succeeding night, one candle/light is added to the left of the previous night's…
Devarim 5771-2011
“The Responsibility not to be Misled” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald With this week’s parasha, parashat Devarim, the fifth book of the Torah, which bears the same name as the parasha,…
Shelach 5769-2009
"Long-Term Consequences" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shelach, we are told of the twelve scouts who were sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan in…
Tzav 5776-2016
“Dressing Properly for Special Occasions” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Tzav, opens with detailed instructions to the Kohanim, the priests, regarding taking…
Noah 5775-2014
“The Fate of Humankind is Sealed” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Noah, we read of the deluge that inundated the world, ending human life on earth except for…
Devarim 5775-2015
“Looking Through the Pain, Toward a Bright Future” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald With this week’s parasha, parashat Devarim, we begin reading the fifth and final book of the Torah, the…
Rosh Hashana,Weekly Message,Haazinu
Haazinu-Rosh Hashana 5774-2013
"Jewish Normal, Is Not Very Normal" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Haazinu, Moses, speaking to the People of Israel on the last day of his life, continues…
Noah 5781-2020
“Noah: The Man Who Brings Comfort to the World” (updated and revised from Noah 5761–2000) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The story of this week’s parasha, parashat Noah, actually begins at…
Jews in Christchurch?
When one thinks of the far reaches of the globe, New Zealand should obviously come to mind. What people may not know is that over 6,800 Jews live in New Zealand today, mostly in Auckland…
Tetzaveh 5763-2003
"The Primacy of Jewish Education" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In last week's parasha, parashat Terumah, we read of the appeal for donations to build the Tabernacle--the portable…