Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue

The directive to create a judicial system is set out in this week’s Torah portion, Shoftim, in Deuteronomy 16:18-20. God commands the Israelites to appoint judges and law enforcement…

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Bereshith 5770-2009

"The Hebrew Story of Creation and Its Parallels Among Other Civilizations" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Bereishith, is the very first parasha of Genesis, the…

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Matanot L’evyonim-Gifts to the Poor

Gifts to the PoorMatanot L'evyonim After the Jews were saved from the decree of Haman, they agreed “to observe [the days…

Never Too Late To Educate

It is a well-known fact that Judaism places tremendous emphasis on education. Thousands of years ago Rabbi Simon ben Shetach (75 B.C.E.) instituted compulsory school attendance. The…

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First On The Court

Born in 1856, in Louisville, Kentucky, Louis Dembitz Brandeis was the child of European immigrants who maintained a minimal Jewish identity. However, his maternal uncle, Lewis Dembitz,…

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Basic Education

Even if you do not have kids in the system, help support your local Jewish educational institutions.

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Positive Education

Remember that your attitude toward education influences the children in your life. (Don’t disparage teachers, the school, the system, etc., even if it’s how you really feel.)

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Shemini 5781-2021

“Using, Not Abusing, a Sanctified Substance” (updated and revised from Shemini 5763-2003)   by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Shemini, opens at a most…

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Matot-Masei 5781-2021

“Does the Torah Allow Its Citizens to Take the Law Into Their Own Hands?” (updated and revised from Matot-Masei 5762-2002)  by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   In parashat Masei, the…

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Bereshith 5769-2008

"The Development of Civilization as Recorded in Genesis" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald The Torah is not intended to serve as a history lesson or as a chronicle of the development of ancient…

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