Good Sense from Nikolsburg!

The Biblical phrase, “Love your fellow as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) serves as the foundational verse promoting Ahavat Chinam (baseless love) and Ahavat Yisrael (love for fellow Jews).…

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Mishpatim 5765-2005

"The Conundrum of Charity--Who Benefits More?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Mishpatim, contains an abundance of interesting mitzvot. Among the 53…

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Tu b’Shevat

Tu b'ShevatNew Year for Trees Tu b’Shevat is a rabbinical, not biblical holiday. In fact, it is first…

Lech Lecha 5764-2003

"A Scriptural Assessment of Lot" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald By paying close attention to specific words and verses in the Bible, we can often learn much concerning the Bible's…

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Toledot 5760-1999

"A Lesson from Jacob and Esau: Understanding and Accepting Differences" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Toledot, we find some of the most fascinating…

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Shemot 5769-2009

"Does Moses Contradict G-d?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shemot, G-d appears to Moses in the midst of a burning bush charging him to go to Pharaoh and to…

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Hanging Haman: The Commandment to Wipe Out Amalek

Hanging Haman:The Commandment to Wipe Out Amalek “The army of Amalek swooped down from behind them, attacking the old…

The Seder

The Sedar The highlight of Passover is the Seder, and for many, the Seder evokes powerful childhood memories. But what exactly…

Kee Teitzei 5768-2008

"The 'Mitzvah' of Divorce" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we have previously noted, parashat Kee Teitzei contains the largest number of mitzvot of any parasha in the Torah. According to…

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Mikeitz 5772-2011

"Joseph Takes His Brother Simeon Hostage" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Mikeitz, is an emotional roller coaster, stocked with abundant moments of triumph…

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