The Purim Story in Under 300 Words
At the end of a 180-day feast, the King of Persia-Media, Achashverosh, banished (some say, executed) his wife, Vashti, for refusing to appear at his banquet. He then staged an elaborate…
The Fast of Esther
This coming Monday, March 6th, which is the 13th of Adar on the Hebrew calendar, is the Fast of Esther. “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and…
A Taste of Shakespeare
Yiddish theater, which saw its heyday in the early decades of the twentieth century, played an important role in the lives of the American Jewish community. More than just entertainment…
Seeking God in Elul
In anticipation of the High Holy Days and during the High Holy Days themselves, Psalm 27 is read twice daily from the beginning of the month of Elul through the entire holiday of Sukkot,…
Special For Chanukah: The Chanukah Blessings
Tonight, on the first night of Chanukah, one candle/light is placed on the far right of the menorah. Each succeeding night, one candle/light is added to the left of the previous night’s…
The Purim Story in Under 300 Words
At the end of an 180-day feast, Achashverosh, the King of Persia-Media, banished (some say, executed) his wife Vashti for refusing to appear at his banquet. He then staged an elaborate…
The Fast of Esther
The Fast of Esther will be observed tomorrow, March 21st which coincides with the 11th of Adar on the Hebrew calendar. While the Fast of Esther is normally observed on the 13th of Adar,…
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…
Weekly Message,Tisha b'Av,Devarim
Devarim-Tisha B’Av 5767-2007
"Zion Shall be Redeemed through Justice" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On Monday night, July 23 and all day Tuesday, July 24, 2007, the fast of Tisha b'Av, the 9th of Av, will be observed.…
Shoftim 5766-2006
"The Great Real Estate Swindle–Its Implications" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shoftim, the Torah introduces a fundamental law of honesty that has…