Chayei Sarah 5781-2020

“The Personality of Isaac: The Passive Patriarch” (updated and revised from Chayei Sarah 5761–2000) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, we learn…

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B’ha’a’lot’cha 5781-2021

“Is This What the Torah Predicted?” (updated and revised from B’ha’a’lot’cha 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat B’ha’a’lot’cha, contains several…

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Vayigash 5782-2021

“The Virtues of Assimilation” (updated and revised from Vayigash 5762-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayigash, the dramatic story of Joseph and his…

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Vayigash 5784-2023

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…

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Tetzaveh 5766-2006

"Drawing Close to G-d" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Tetzaveh, G-d instructs the people to make sacred garments for the priests to wear when performing the…

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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,"…

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B’ha’alot’cha 5762-2002

"Is This What the Torah Predicted?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Beha'alotecha, contains varied and interesting themes. The parasha speaks of the…

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Chukat-Balak 5762-2002

"The Paradox of the Red Heifer" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In Parashat Chukat, the first of this coming week's double Torah portion, Chukat-Balak, we learn of the inscrutable law of the…

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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…

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Kedoshim 5771-2011

“Judaism’s Radical Notion of Holiness” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald One of the most profound statements in the Torah is found in the opening verses of this week’s parasha, parashat…

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