Vayeishev 5773-2012

“Heaven-Sent Spices” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeishev, we read of the sale of Joseph by his brothers, to merchants who eventually bring Joseph to…

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Va’eira 5773-2013

"The ‘Outstretched Arm’ and the ‘Mighty Hand’" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Va’eira, the process of the Israelites’ redemption from Egypt begins, as the…

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Balak 5773-2013

"Balaam’s Second Vision: Lo, a People that Rises Like a Lion" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Balak, we read of Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, and…

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Vayeishev 5774-2013

"Reuben is Credited with Saving Joseph’s Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Joseph is dispatched by Jacob on a fateful mission to check on the well-being of his brothers who had gone to…

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Behar-Bechukotai 5775-2015

“The Odd Conclusion to the Book of Leviticus” By Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Bechukotai, the second of this week’s double parashiot, Behar-Bechukotai, we find two major themes,…

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Va’eira 5772-2012

“The Decline and Collapse of the Egyptian Magicians” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Va’eira, we learn of the first seven plagues that strike the Egyptians.…

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Ellen Lipkis Letter

A Note from Ellen Lipkis Dear Rabbi Buchwald, Thank you for always being there for the Lipkis family. It is not easy for me to express all that I would like to say to you. Words are not…

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What Happened in SHUM

While most people know about the horrors of the Crusades, many do not realize that there were, in fact, many Crusades over a period of four hundred years, and that most of these crusades…

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Relative Suffering

In Parashat Vayechi we find the patriarch Jacob saying goodbye, and offering blessings and words of wisdom to his loving family. Before offering parting words to all of his sons, Jacob…

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Tashlich

The Rosh Hashana tashlich ceremony is a tradition that is dear throughout the many diverse Jewish communities. Tashlich literally translates as "You will throw." But what, exactly, is……

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