Bo 5782-2022
“Rituals Work, Rituals Work!” (updated and revised from Bo 5762-2002) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Bo, describes the final three plagues: locusts, darkness…
Vayeilech 5782-2021
“Appreciating our own Inner Worth” (updated and revised from Vayeilech 5761-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Vayeilech, is almost always read together…
Gain Clarity and Wisdom
To gain clarity and a deeper understanding of a passage in the Talmud, be sure to study Rashi’s commentary and those of the Ba’alei Tosafot, some of whom were his progeny. Study the…
Matot-Masei 5781-2021
“Does the Torah Allow Its Citizens to Take the Law Into Their Own Hands?” (updated and revised from Matot-Masei 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Masei, the…
Make a Difference in This World
Study Torah and find ways to improve and perfect the world that we inhabit. Learn more in the second Mishna of the first Chapter of Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers about the three…
In Celebration of Thirteen Years
Every person has special days in their life that they remember and mark from year to year, such as birthdays and anniversaries. Judaism also marks dates on an annual cycle such as…
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…
Chukat 5781-2021
“The Paradox of the Red Heifer” (updated and revised from Chukat-Balak 5762-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Chukat, we learn of the inscrutable law of…
Who Was Rabbi Akiva?
Akiva ben Yosef was once an ignorant and illiterate shepherd. So poor and downtrodden a figure was Akiva that his extremely wealthy father-in-law disinherited his own daughter, Rachel,…
It’s Never too Late
Whether you’re age forty, fifty or beyond, learn from Rabbi Akiva how great is each person’s potential, and that it is never too late to start studying the Torah and connecting more…