"truthfulness"

Vayigash 5785-2025

“And He Fell on His Neck and Wept” (updated and revised from Vayigash 5765-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwaldֹ In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayigash, we read of the dramatic reunion…

Jewish Treats

Spin the Dreidel

I have a little dreidel I made it out of clay And when it's dry and ready With dreidel I shall play! The dreidel is a four-sided top, with a single Hebrew letter on each of its sides.…

Jewish Treats

Holiday Fun

Add an element of fun to your Chanukah celebration!

Jewish Treats

Chanukah and Divine Order

Chanukah always overlaps with at least one Shabbat (if not two), and since Chanukah begins on the 25th of Kislev and lasts for eight days, the holiday always coincides with the…

Jewish Treats

Welcoming Chanukah and Shabbat

Later this afternoon, as we welcome the third night of Chanukah by lighting the menorah, and Shabbat, by lighting Shabbat candles, appreciate the special opportunity we have been given to…

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The Challenge of Fitting In

The weekly Torah reading of Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1-44:17), which almost always coincides with Chanukah, tells the story of the rise of Joseph the son of Jacob from slave to viceroy. And…

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Display Jewish Pride

Find ways to display your Jewish pride this Chanukah.

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The Chanukah Blessings

Tonight, on the first night of Chanukah, one candle/light is placed on the far right of the menorah. Each succeeding night, one candle/light is added to the left of the previous night’s…

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Jewish Light Burns Bright

Beginning tonight, through the eighth night on January 1st, light your Chanukah menorah and show your Jewish brothers and sisters, wherever they may be, that the "Jewish Light Burns…

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These Lights We Kindle

While the mitzvah of lighting the menorah is an outward-focused mitzvah – the menorah is lit in a window or doorway for all to see – it is also an opportunity for personal reflection on…

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He is Always There

When reciting Ha’nayrot Halalu after lighting the menorah, remember how God brought salvation to the Jewish people during the events that transpired on Chanukah.

Mikeitz,Weekly Message

Mikeitz 5785-2024

“Unexpected Parallels between Mikeitz and the Story of Chanukah” (updated and revised from Mikeitz 5768-2007) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Mikeitz, is almost…

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The 25th of Kislev

It is not uncommon to find that significant events in Jewish history occurred on the same day but in different years, on the Jewish calendar. For instance, Tisha b’Av (9th of Av), the day…

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Real Inspiration

Let the holiday of Chanukah serve as an inspiration to dedicate yourself to include more Jewish learning in your daily life. Consider purchasing a Jewish text to study, or resolve to…

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Judah, Son of Jacob

When Judah, the fourth son of Leah and Jacob was born, Leah said, “This time let me gratefully praise God” (based on the Hebrew infinitive, l’hodot, “to praise”). Judah first demonstrated…

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Taking Responsibility

Study Judah’s actions vis-a-vis Tamar to appreciate the true meaning of taking responsibility, not withstanding his personal humiliation. There is much to learn about Judah and his…

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The Story of Degania

Since many of the early settlers in pre-state Palestine identified with the socialist ideology, Kibbutzim (communal farms or settlements) were the desired living arrangement.The first…

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Volunteer on a Kibbutz on Your Next Trip to Israel

Whether you seek a secular kibbutz experience or a religious one, the experience will undoubtedly be memorable and worthwhile.

Jewish Treats

The Story of Chanukah

Around the year 167 B.C.E., the Syrian-Greek rulers of Judea tried to force the Jews to assimilate into Hellenic culture. They summoned the Jews to the town squares where they were forced…

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Start Planning

Stock up on oil or candles and prepare your menorah, dreidels and gelt, Yiddish for coins, in anticipation of the upcoming holiday of Chanukah that begins on Wednesday evening, December…

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America’s First Synagogue

In 1656, Shearith Israel became the first synagogue that was established in the territory that came to be known as the United States. The synagogue, also known as the Spanish and…

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Do Your Research

When visiting New York City, plan a trip to visit Congregation Shearith Israel (the Spanish Portuguese Synagogue) to study its rich and fascinating history.

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On One Foot

Jewish Treats was asked to summarize the Jewish faith in one tweet. For those unfamiliar with the X/Twitter format, that means in 280 characters or less, which seems, at first glance, a…

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Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

Study the Torah, the blueprint for Jewish life, to learn how to more fully embrace this adage and become a mentsch, a good and decent person, in the process.

Vayeishev,Weekly Message

Vayeishev 5785-2024

“The Vast Majority of the Time, G-d Rules the World!” (updated and revised from Vayeishev 5766-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Unbeknownst to all the characters who play significant…

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A Dotted Kiss

Jacob left the land of Canaan to avoid the murderous rage of his brother Esau. According to the Midrash, he remained away for 22 years. Although he left alone, he returned with a…

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A True Face

Be open and honest in your interactions with other people. There is a a well-known tradition that Esau hates Jacob. Yet when they met after 22 years of not having seen each other they…

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Lancaster Jews

Many people do not realize that Lancaster, Pennsylvania, home to the famous Amish community, was home to one of the few active Jewish communities during the colonial era and has the…

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Touring the States

When traveling throughout the United States, make it a point to visit Jewish historical landmarks.

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Chanukah: What’s The Mitzvah?

With Chanukah only two weeks away (it begins on Wednesday night, December 25th), here’s a quiz: What is the primary mitzvah of Chanukah? a) Eating latkes (potato pancakes) b) Giving…

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