Korach 5767-2007
"Agonizing Over Collective Punishment" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Korach, we read of the dramatic events that unfold with the rebellion of Korach and…
Passover I 5765-2005
"In Every Generation" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Although the scheduled Torah portion for this week is Acharei Mot, I would like to dwell on the theme of Passover, since the festival…
Kee Teitzei 5771-2011
"Sending the Mother Bird Away" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Kee Teitzei, we learn of the fascinating mitzvah of "Sheeluach Ha’Kayn," sending the mother…
Passover I 5772-2012
“Optimism and Faithfulness” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week, Jews the world over will experience “Spring fever.” Since the Bible states (Exodus 23:15), that Passover is to be…
Bereshith 5774-2013
"Beginning at the Beginning–-Again" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we begin the study of the Torah once again, it seems appropriate to attempt to clarify the purpose of Torah study. The…
Vayakhel 5776-2016
“The Wise-Hearted Person” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald One of the dominant terms found in this week’s parasha, parashat Vayakhel, is the expression חֲכַם לֵב, a wise-hearted person.…
Vayigash 5778-2017
“Jacob’s Enhanced Joy from Joseph His Righteous Son” In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayigash, after 22 years of separation, the elderly Patriarch Jacob, is reunited with his…
Vayeira 5779-2018
“The Tension Between Human Love and Divine Will” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeira, we find two important stories that reflect on the…
Acharei Mot 5779-2019
“The Forbidden Relationships Work Both Ways” (Revised and updated from Acharei Mot 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week’s parasha, parashat Acharei Mot, we…
Celebrating Bar Ilan University
Would you believe that the founding of Israel’s second largest university (33,000 students) was conceived “deep in the heart of Dixie"? Two years after Israel’s founding in 1948, the…