Bo 5775-2015
“The Intuitive Jew” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Bo, the eighth and ninth plagues--locusts and darkness, are visited upon the Egyptians. At long last,…
Shavuot,Weekly Message,Bamidbar
Bamidbar-Shavuot 5778-2018
“Counting a Very Special People” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald With this week’s parasha, parashat Bamidbar, Jews throughout the world begin reading the fourth book of the Torah,…
Yom Kippur 5769-2008
"Difficult Transitions" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On the last day of his life, Moses seals the new covenant with the People of Israel. According to the Midrash, the people then return…
Shemot 5773-2012
“The Role of Exile in Jewish History” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shemot, the book of Exodus opens with the story of the people of Israel’s enslavement…
Vayeilech,Yom Kippur,Weekly Message
Vayeilech/Yom Kippur 5783-2022
“Difficult Transitions” (Updated and revised from Vayeilech/Yom Kippur 5769-2008) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On the last day of his life, Moses seals the new covenant with the People…
Re’eh 5762-2002
"Changing and Updating Jewish Law" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Re'eh, we encounter a fascinating law known in rabbinic literature as Shmitat…
Bereshith 5764-2003
"The Book of Humankind" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald More than 2000 years ago, the rabbis of the Babylonian Jewish community divided the Torah into 54 portions, and began the practice of…
Tzav-Purim 5760 – 2000
"Remembering Amalek: A Contemporary View" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald While this coming week's parasha is Parashat Tzav, I would rather focus today on the joyous, but complex holiday…
Vayeilech,Weekly Message,Nitzavim
Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5773-2013
"They’re Not Laughing At Me Anymore!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s double parashiot, Nitzavim-Vayeilech, Moses gathers all the People of Israel together, re-enters them…
Yom Kippur 5774-2013
“Cheshbon Hanefesh – Introspection” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The High Holy Days are meant to be a time of profound introspection. Every person is to review their actions in their…