Diplomacy, Prayer, Action

As every diplomat knows, there is a time to talk, a time to pray and a time to take action. This very lesson is recorded in the Torah. When Jacob encounters his murderous brother Esau…

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Listen to the Other Side

Even if you have strongly held beliefs, be willing to read articles written from a different vantage point than your own in order to appreciate another perspective on a particular topic.…

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Bamidbar 5770-2010

"The Meaning of the Wilderness" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The fourth book of the Torah, Bamidbar, opens with the following words  (Numbers 1:1): "Vah'y'dah'bayr Hashem el Moshe…

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Pinchas 5768-2008

"The Zealotry of Pinchas as Seen Through the Midrash" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Last week's parasha, parashat Balak, closed with the story of Pinchas' zealotry. As we read in that…

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B’shalach 5775-2015

“One Heart, as One Man” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat B’shalach, we read of the triumphant departure of the People of Israel from Egypt, and their…

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Pinchas 5777-2017

"Pinchas and King David" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald At the close of last week’s parasha, parashat Balak, we read of the zealous act of Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron the High Priest,…

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Pinchas 5778-2018

"Pinchas the Zealot?"  by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald……

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Matot-Masei 5763-2003

"The Massacre of the Midianites: Does Judaism Countenance Genocide?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald We have learned in Parashat Balak that Balaam finally realized that the Jews could not…

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Pinchas 5776-2016

“Pinchas the Zealot, and King David" by Ephraim Z. Buchwald The opening verses of this week’s parasha, parashat Pinchas, contain the conclusion of the dramatic narrative concerning…

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Va’etchanan 5777-2017

“The Power of Prayer” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Va’etchanan, we read of Moses’ powerful prayers to be allowed to enter into the land of Israel, and…

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