Shelach 5763-2003
"Can Human Beings Achieve Immortality?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald One of the most heartrending and challenging juxtapositions in the Bible appears in this week's parasha, Shelach…
Shelach 5761-2001
"The Torah's Definition of 'Power'" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Shelach, recounts the story of the twelve spies or, more accurately, twelve "scouts"…
B’ha’alot’cha 5767-2007
"The Tribe of Dan Traveled Last" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Beha'alotecha, we read of the first journey in the wilderness that the people of Israel took…
Yom Kippur 5760-1999
"How does G-d Judge?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald How does one prepare for Yom Kippur, the Day of Judgment, when our deeds of the past year, and especially the past week, are evaluated…
Chol Hamoed Pesach 5764-2004
"With G-d as Our Partner" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This Shabbat, instead of the regular Torah portion, Exodus 33:12-34:26 is read, which makes references to the "13 Attributes of G-d's…
Kee Teitzei 5770-2010
"Caring for Workers and Domestic Animals" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Kee Teitzei, contains an array of rather impressive, indeed, revolutionary, laws…
Bereshith,Weekly Message,Genesis
Bereshith 5771-2010
"The Help Meet" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week’s parasha, parashat Bereshith, we learn of the creation of the human being. The story of the human creation is a…
Acharei Mot 5771-2011
"The Unfathomable Practice of Molech Worship" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In Leviticus 18, the last chapter of this week's parasha, parashat Acharei Mot, we encounter a long list of…
Shelach 5771-2011
"Challah–-All Possessions Are From the L-rd" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The primary narrative of this week’s parasha, parashat Shelach, concerns the episode of the scouts (spies) who…
Vayeishev 5772-2011
“Interpreting the Dreams of Others” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeishev, Joseph is accused of the attempted rape of Mrs. Potiphar. Her husband,…