Jokes On Us
“Knock. Knock” “Who’s There?” “Jewish” “Jewish Who?” “Jewish Treats” ….Ok, not so funny, but, when you get to the bottom of it, April Fool's Day (or All Fools Day) is hardly a Jewish…
Precious Creation
While there are many appropriate themes with which the Torah in Genesis 1 could have begun (Abraham, Mt. Sinai, etc.), it begins instead with a day-by-day description of the creation of…
Yom HaAtzma’ut
On the fifth day of the Hebrew month of Iyar, in the year 5708, corresponding to May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was born. On that day, the British Mandate was terminated, and Jewish…
Tetzaveh 5784-2024
“A Flame in Every Jewish Heart" (updated and revised from Tetzaveh 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Tetzaveh, focuses primarily on the design and…
The Four Mitzvot of Purim
This year, Purim will be celebrated beginning Saturday evening, March 23rd, and continue through the following day, Sunday, March 24th. Four mitzvot are associated with the holiday:…
Jokes On Us
“Knock, knock” “Who’s there?” “Jewish” “Jewish who?” “Jewish Treats” ….Ok, not so funny, but, when you get to the bottom of it, April Fool’s Day (or All Fools Day) is hardly a Jewish…
Isru Chag
The day after vacation is often a time of distraction and disorientation. The same is true of the day following a religious holiday, especially after one of the week-long holidays…
Vayeira 5761-2000
"Mount Moriah: Building for the Future Through Love" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Last week's parasha, parashat Lech L'cha, began with G-d saying to Avram, Gen 12:1: "Lech l'cha…
Vayakhel-Pekudei 5770-2010
"Heaven Helps Those Who Help Themselves" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the second of this week's double parashiot, parashat Pekudei, we read that after many days, weeks and months of…
Pinchas 5773-2013
“The Lesson of the Broken Vav” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Pinchas, we learn the identities of the two defiant people who committed an act of public…