Rosh Hashana 5784-2023
“Actions and their Implications” (updated and revised from Rosh Hashana 5766-2005) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The celebration of the Jewish New Year is entirely unlike the secular New…
Living in The Pinch
In honor of National Tennessee Day, Jewish Treats presents a brief history of the Jewish community of Memphis. American Jewish culture thrives upon the communal memory of New York City’s…
Name Change
It is not a coincidence that cultures around the world share a belief in the power of given names. In Judaism, it is believed that parents are granted a flash of ruach hakodesh, Divine…
The Final Analysis
After the soul departs, it journeys to the gates of heaven where it must present its case for entry. The Talmud (Shabbat 31a) states, “When an individual is brought before the Heavenly…
Emor 5784-2024
“The Counting of the Omer and the Celebration of Israel’s Independence” (updated and revised from Emor 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Emor,…
Lech Lecha 5768-2007
"The Battle of the Four Kings Against the Five" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Lech Lecha, we read about what is generally known as the "Battle of the Four…
The Four Species
The Four Species “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of a hadar (beautiful) tree, the branch…
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah,Sukkot Resources,Holiday Resources,Judaism,HolidaysJudaism,Holidays,Literacy
Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah
- Shemini Atzeret / Simchat TorahThe Gathering of the 8th Shemini Atzeret, literally the Gathering of the…
Bo 5764-2004
"The More Things Change..." by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Bo, the enslavement of the Jewish people comes to a dramatic conclusion with the tenth…
Kedoshim,Acharei Mot,Weekly Message
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5762-2002
"Shaatnez: Understanding Irrational Decrees" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Once again, this week, we have combined parashiot--Acharei Mot-Kedoshim. The theme of the second parasha,…