Kee Tisah 5769-2009
"An Opportunity for Those Who Seek to Repent" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Kee Tisah, we learn of the grave sin committed by the People of Israel who…
Naso 5762-2002
"The Challenge of the Priestly Blessings" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Naso, we encounter the very beautiful and well known "Priestly Blessings,"…
The Hungarian Schism
The history of the Jews of Hungary reads much the same as that of the Jews in other areas of Europe. They were ever at the mercy of the nobility, with their favor waxing and waning…
Balak 5765-2005
"Bilaam, Prophet to the Nations" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The Jews and their philosophers have long been troubled by the concept of "Chosenness." So uncomfortable were the people and…
Pinchas 5760-2000
"The Daughters Of Tzelafchad: Legitimate Feminist Claims" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Pinchas, we learn of the precedent-shattering request of the…
Matot-Masei 5770-2010
"Do Not Pollute the Land...Do Not Defile the Land" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the second of this week's double parashiot, Matot-Masei, the Torah describes the contours of the Levite…
Masei 5765-2005
"The Role of Witnesses and Testimony" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As last year was a leap year, this year is one of the rare occasions where, outside of Israel, parashat Masei is read…
Sukkot 5761-2000
"A Sukkot Story: Devotion to a Festival" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald The famed Rabbi Shlomo Zevin, records the unusual story concerning Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev (1740-1810), the…
Toledot 5771-2010
“Isaac, the Man of Commitment” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Toledot, we once again learn that a famine, like the one in the time of Abraham, afflicts the…
Vayeitzei 5771-2010
"The Hated Wife” by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeitzei, we come face-to-face with the difficulties that are often encountered in polygamous marriages. In…