The Letter Lamed
The word lev, which means heart, begins with a lamed. When the Hebrew letters are lined up, it is not surprising to…
Chayei Sarah 5770-2009
"The Willing Bride" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, the wondrous story unfolds of Rebecca's selection to be the wife of Isaac and, ultimately,…
Dear Yenta: The Matchmaker (Shadchan)
“Matchmaker, matchmaker / Look through your book / And make me a perfect match...” (Fiddler on the Roof). Despite the widespread proliferation of internet dating sites such as eharmony,…
v’Zot Habracha-Simchat Torah 5770-2009
"The Confluence of v'Zot Habracha and the Holiday" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The festival of Simchat Torah, the rejoicing with the Law, is one of two major festivals during which we…
Take A Sabbatical
It is interesting that the two most common professions which offer sabbatical leaves are academia and clergy. These two professions are fields in which practitioners devote a great deal…
Yom Kippur 5770-2009
"Shabbat Shabbaton--The Ultimate Shabbat" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald When are artists at their most exalted state of creativity? Is it when they dip their brushes into the colorful…
Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5769-2009
"Farewell to a Great Leader" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Vayeilech, the second of this week's combined parashiot, Nitzavim-Vayeilech, Moses bids a final farewell to the…
I Am To My Beloved…
The Torah verse that epitomizes the emotions of love is: “Anee l’dodi v’dodi lee” - I am to my beloved, and my beloved is to me (Song of Songs 6:3). The ideal love relationship according…
Re’eh 5769-2009
"The Chosen People–Again!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Re'eh, we once again encounter the challenging concept of the "Chosenness" of Israel. After…
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