Shoftim 5765-2005
"The Extent of Rabbinic Authority" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Shoftim, 41 new Torah laws--14 positive and 27 negative mitzvot--are introduced.…
Noah 5769-2008
"Nimrod and the Financial Meltdown" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In Genesis 10, the Torah features a long list of descendants of Shem, Cham and Yafet. It is a litany of begets and begats…
Noah 5763-2002
"The Story of Noah--Fact or Fantasy?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's Torah portion, Parashat Noach, the famous "Flood story," is a truly intriguing portion. Academic and…
Noah 5762-2001
"The 'Myth' of the Great Flood" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Noah, the story of the flood, is a truly intriguing Torah portion. Secular scholars speak of the story of the flood…
Simchat Torah 5767-2006
"The Evolving Holiday" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald The festival of Simchat Torah is one of the most joyous of the Jewish calendar. In Israel, following the conclusion of the festival of…
Re’eh 5763-2003
"The Elusive Blessing of 'Peace'" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's Torah portion, Parashat Re'eh, contains some of the most exalted verses in the entire Torah concerning G-d's…
Kee Tavo 5762-2002
"A Contemporary Interpretation of an Ancient Reproof" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Kee Tavo, is one of two parashiot in the Torah that are known as…
Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5762-2002
"The Promise of Total Return" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parashiot, Nitzavim and Vayeilech, are among the final parashiot of the book of Deuteronomy and contain the…
Toledot 5760-1999
"A Lesson from Jacob and Esau: Understanding and Accepting Differences" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Toledot, we find some of the most fascinating…
Vayeitzei 5760-1999
"Who is the Real Enemy?" Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayeitzei, we read of Jacob's flight from Beersheva, to escape his brother Esau's wrath. Jacob runs, as…