Mikeitz 5783-2022
“In Those Days, in These Times” (updated and revised from Mikeitz 5763-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we have previously noted, the story of Joseph may be seen as the story of an…
These Lights We Kindle
While the mitzvah of lighting the menorah is an outward-focused mitzvah – the menorah is lit in a window or doorway – it is also an opportunity for personal reflection on the deeper…
The Challenge of Fitting In
The weekly Torah reading of Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1-44:17), which almost always coincides with Chanukah, tells the story of the rise of Joseph the son of Jacob from slave to viceroy. And…
A Kosher Buffet
While it seems a bit counterintuitive to have a day celebrating abundant eating the day after a national holiday, nevertheless, January 2nd is celebrated as “Buffet Day.” The concept of a…
Twice To The Grave?
What happens when a final "resting place" isn’t so final? In our modern era of perpetual development and expanding cities, it is not unheard of for there to be requests to relocate entire…
Seek Out The Positive
An ethical dilemma: A close friend confides in you that he/she recently purchased an expensive, one-of-a-kind, non-returnable item. When he/she shows it to you, you are immediately aware…
International Holocaust Memorial Day
Speak of the Holocaust, and the first word that many think of is Auschwitz. It was, and is, the most infamous of the concentration camps established by the Nazis. In fact, Auschwitz was…
Listen Up
Accepting criticism is never easy, but if it’s offered in a respectful way by someone who is sincere and appears to mean well, try and accept it graciously. Jethro’s criticism of Moses,…
When Adar Begins
The month of Adar begins tonight. About Adar, the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar year (in non-leap years), the Talmud (Ta’anith 29a) states: “Mee’sheh’nichnas Adar, marbin…
Nap Time
Today, March 13th, is National Napping Day. If you’ve had a rough time and are only now slowly recuperating from resetting your clock after “springing forward” on early Sunday morning,…