Kee Tisah 5784-2024
“Shabbat as a Priority in Jewish Life” (updated and revised from Kee Tisah 5765-2005 by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Although there are many dramatic moments in the latter parts of parashat…
Terumah 5784-2024
Urgent message: Given the most challenging situation in Israel at this time, I urge all to pray for the bereaved families, the hostages, the missing and the many casualties. Please try to…
President William Howard Taft – Friend of the Jews
Jewish Treats presents a quick look at the relationship of President William Howard Taft (1857–1930) and the Jewish people worldwide. Taft’s presidency (1909–1913) overlapped with the era…
Spiritual Compass
Today, November 6th, is yet another odd, seemingly random, holiday that has grown out of the internet age: “Marooned without a Compass Day.” While the name of the day may seem quaint and…
Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
Tonight starts the holiday of Shemini Atzeret, literally the "Gathering of the Eighth," a connected, yet independent, holiday that immediately follows Sukkot. During the seven days of…
Uncategorized,Vayeilech,Nitzavim
Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5783-2023
“The Promise of Total Return” (updated and revised from Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5762-2002) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s double parashiot, Nitzavim and Vayeilech, are among…
The Book of Lamentations
On Tisha b’Av, the ninth of Av, one of the ways that the Jewish people demonstrate their mourning over the loss of both Holy Temples is by refraining from Torah study that brings pleasure…
Tisha b’Av
This Wednesday night at sunset, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar begins. Known as the Fast of the 9th of Av (Tisha b’Av), the observances of Tisha b’Av are very similar to Yom…
Emor 5783-2023
“Striving for Perfection” (updated and revised from Emor 5766-2006) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Emor, the theme of “perfection” appears repeatedly in…
Tzav 5783-2023
“Making the Menial Hallowed and the Mundane Holy” (updated and revised from Tzav 5764-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Tzav, continues the theme of…