Korach 5784-2024
“Lessons from the Rebels” (updated and revised from Korach 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Korach, we learn of the infamous rebellion of Korach…
World Sauntering Day
In Jewish life there is great admiration for a character trait known as z’reezut, which is often translated as "zealousness." The word z’reezut actually comes from the root…
Naso 5784-2024
“A Lesson from the N’seeim--the Tribal Leaders” (updated and revised from Naso 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Naso, is almost always read…
Make Me the High Priest
The Talmud (Shabbat 31a), relates the strange story of a non-Jewish man who wished to convert to Judaism in order to ultimately become the High Priest of Israel. He believed that, in this…
Kissing the Mezuzah
A person might easily think of the mitzvah of mezuzah as a passive mitzvah. Simply recite the blessing before affixing the mezuzah to the doorposts of the house, and it is done. While…
Live Knowing That People See You As a Jew
Live your life knowing that during every moment, others will see your actions as representing Jews and Judaism. In today’s day and age, Jews are more in the limelight than ever before,…
Emor 5784-2024
“The Counting of the Omer and the Celebration of Israel’s Independence” (updated and revised from Emor 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Emor,…
Kedoshim 5784-2024
“Living a Truly Sanctified Life” (updated and revised from Kedoshim 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The message of this week’s parasha, parashat Kedoshim, is surely one of the…
Passover 2024-5784
Urgent message: It’s hard to believe that after all these months since the murderous attack on October 7th, that the most challenging situation in Israel continues, not only with little…
Shemini 5784-2024
“Those Remarkable Dietary Laws” (updated and revised from Shemini 5766-2006) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Shemini, contains an extensive excursion into the…