Rabbi Shmuel Salant
On the 29th of Av, 1909, corresponding to August 16th, Rabbi Shmuel Salant, Jerusalem’s long-time Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, passed away. Rabbi Shmuel was born in 1816 in Bialystok, then part…
Shoftim 5783-2023
“Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue” (updated and revised from Shoftim 5764-2004) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Shoftim--the name means “judges” or “magistrates,” deals…
At the Rebbe’s Table
In a chassidic community, the Rebbe is far more than the decider of Jewish law and the head of the synagogue. A chassidic Rebbe is the center of life for his community, a guide for their…
Re’eh 5783-2023
"The Sanctity of Land and its Implications” (updated and revised from Re’eh 5765-2005) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the topics discussed in this week’s parasha, parashat…
What Goes Around Comes Around
Is there any truth to the popular statement, “What goes around, comes around?" It is a pithy phrase that is all too often suggested (somewhat viciously) after a person falls into hard…
Don’t Shame The Name
The concept of “Chilul Hashem,” desecration of God’s name is first mentioned in the Torah in Leviticus (22:32), when the Jewish people are commanded: “You shall not shame My Holy Name;…
Best-Seller
For a high school dropout who failed English three times, Leon Uris had an outstanding career as a best-selling author. The Baltimore-born (August 3, 1924) Uris was the son of a Jewish…
No Holiday as Joyous
Tu b’Av (The Fifteenth of Av), which is today, is no longer the well-known holiday on the Jewish calendar that it was in ancient times. In fact, the Talmud states that: “There were no…
Eikev 5783-2023
“Battling Contemporary Abominations” (updated and revised from Eikev 5764-2004) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Eikev, Moses, once again, encourages the…
Sir Moses Montefiore
Sir Moses Montefiore (1784-1885) had an extraordinary impact on the world. Beginning a career in general business, Montefiore quickly gained one of the 12 brokers' licenses that were set…