Noah 5768-2007

"Noah: A Biblical Profile" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald When compared to the dynamic Abraham and even to the self-indulgent Adam, Noah often pales in comparison to these two great fathers…

Read More

Simchat Torah 5784-2023

“The Evolving Holiday” (updated and revised from Simchat Torah 5767-2006) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The festival of Simchat Torah is one of the most joyous on the Jewish calendar. In…

Read More

Shemini 5784-2024

“Those Remarkable Dietary Laws” (updated and revised from Shemini 5766-2006) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Shemini, contains an extensive excursion into the…

Read More

Hillel Gross’ Response to the Beginners at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the LSS Beginners Service (Feb 23, 1986)

The video of the live performance of this speech: "I am here tonight on what I fear is a totally vain effort to restore some perspective to this orgy of self-congratulations that you…

Read More

Korach 5767-2007

"Agonizing Over Collective Punishment" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Korach, we read of the dramatic events that unfold with the rebellion of Korach and…

Read More

Va’eira 5778-2018

“Participating in the Communal Pain” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   This week’s parasha, parashat Va’eira, marks the commencement of the redemption of the People of Israel from their…

Read More

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

In 2006, the month of May was officially designated as Jewish American Heritage Month. And what better way to celebrate Jews in America than with a little bit of baseball? Certainly…

Read More

Jews and Bubble Gum

The first Friday in February is celebrated as “Bubble Gum Day.” Ruth Spiro, an author of children’s books who chews gum as an avocation, proposed the day in 2006 to enable children to…

Read More

The Crown of Israel’s Jezreel Valley

Today the city of Afula, with a population of 49,000, sits as the crown and virtual capital of the Jezreel Valley in north-central Israel. Many identify modern day Afula with the…

Read More

In God We Trust

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution famously begins: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Known as “The…

Read More