Kee Tavo 5760-2000
"Welcoming the Stranger" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Kee Tavo, opens with the ritual of bringing the Bikurim, the first fruits of the season, to the…
Tzav-Purim 5771-2011
“Shabbat and Purim” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This year, the festival of Purim will be celebrated throughout the world on Saturday evening, March 19th, and Sunday, March 20th (except…
Toledot 5766-2005
"Why Was Rebecca Barren?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Toledot, we are told that Isaac was 40 years old when he took Rebecca as his wife. Scripture also…
B’ha’alot’cha 5771-2011
"The Nature of Moses’ Humility" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat B’ha’alot’cha, we learn that Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses concerning the Kushite…
Va’etchanan 5764-2004
"The Dialectic of Body and Soul" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Va'etchanan, we encounter several weighty and significant texts. Among the most prominent…
Vayishlach 5767-2006
"The Lonely Patriarch" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayishlach, the memorable confrontation between Jacob and Esau takes place, a confrontation that is…
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…
Lech Lecha 5773-2012
"To the Land that I Will Show You" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Lech Lecha, G-d instructs Abram (his name had not yet been changed to Abraham), to begin…
Chayei Sarah,Weekly Message,Genesis
Chayei Sarah 5773-2012
"Beware Not to Return My Son There!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, we learn that Abraham, who is well-on in years, is deeply concerned about…
Bechukotai 5774-2014
“The Role of Exile in Jewish Theology” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we have noted previously (Kee Tavo 5762-2002), parashat Bechukotai is one of the two parashiot in the Torah,…