• F
  • T
  • Y
  • P
  • R
  • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Volunteer
  • 37th Annual Dinner
logo
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Staff
    • Newsletters
    • Press
    • My NJOP
    • My Community
  • Shabbat
  • Hebrew
    • Hebrew
    • Hebrew Names
    • Twebrew School
  • Judaism
  • Holidays
    • All Holidays
    • Rosh Hashana
    • Yom Kippur
    • Sukkot
    • Chanukah
    • Purim
    • Passover
    • Shavuot
    • Tisha b’Av
    • The Three Weeks
    • Other Holidays
      • Tu b’Shevat
      • Yom Hashoah
      • Yom Ha’Atzumaut
      • Lag Ba’Omer
      • Yom Yerushalayim
      • Tu b’av
      • Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah
      • Asara B’Tevet
  • Blogs
    • All Blogs
    • Jewish Treats
    • Weekly Torah Message
    • Twebrew School
    • NJOP
  • Search
  • F
  • T
  • Y
  • P
  • R
  • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Volunteer
  • 37th Annual Dinner

mitzvah

Mishpatim 5785-2025

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“We will Do and We will Obey”
(updated and revised from Mishpatim 5766-2006)

Although most of parashat Mishpatim deals with the administration of civil justice, the end of the parasha returns to the theme of the Divine Revelation, where the people pronounce “Na’ah’seh v’nish’mah,” “we will do and we will obey.” More than obey, “nishmah” means “we will understand.” It is this struggle for understanding, that is perhaps most relevant to Jewish observance in the 21st century.

Read More


0 Comments9 Minutes

Re’eh 5784-2024

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Adding or Subtracting”
(updated and revised from Re’eh 5766-2006)

In parashat Re'eh, we learn of the prohibition of adding or subtracting from the Torah. Any attempt to manipulate the Biblical text would imply that the Commandments are imperfect or irrelevant. And yet, rabbis throughout the ages, built fences around the mitzvot and added festivals and observances. How could that be justified?

Read More


0 Comments8 Minutes

Vayikra 5784-2024

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Parashat Zachor: 'Hating as a Mitzvah.'"
(updated and revised from Vayikra 5763-2003)

In February 2003, the highly-acclaimed young scholar, Rabbi Meir Y. Soloveichik, penned an essay in the Christian theological journal, Present Tense, entitled The Virtue of Hate. Although Soloveichik's arguments are technically correct, Prof. Soloveichik, fails to put these valid arguments within proper context. Judaism in fact does theological somersaults in order to find merit even for the most hardcore wicked.

Read More


0 Comments11 Minutes

Sukkot 5784-2023

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Worshiping G-d Wholeheartedly”
(updated and revised from Sukkot 5765-2004)

In an affluent society, such as the one in which we live, it is often difficult to find opportunities to worship G-d wholeheartedly. By sacrificing our creature comforts and entering the ill-furnished sukkah, we send G-d a message that we are prepared to give up some of our earthly conveniences for Him. History shows that when we make these sacrifices, we often get paid back--big time!

Read More


0 Comments10 Minutes

Shemini 5783-2023

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Little Steps that Lead to Big Accomplishments”
(updated and revised from Shemini 5765-2005)

In parashat Shemini we learn that Moses and Aaron come into the Tent of Meeting. From the Torah’s emphasis on the “steps” that they took in coming, we learn the vital importance of the little, often-dismissed, actions. These actions should not be treated lightly. Indeed, they are to be highly regarded and valued as integral and primary parts of the ultimate goal.

Read More


0 Comments8 Minutes

Shemot 5782-2021

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Circumcision of Eliezer: A Message for Busy Parents”
(updated and revised from Shemot 5762-2001)

Moses has been summoned by G-d at the burning bush to return to Egypt and lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. Beginning his journey back to the land of Pharaoh, together with his wife and his sons, he stops at an inn where he is encountered by G-d, who seeks to kill him. Moses’ wife immediately takes a flint stone and circumcises the youngest child. What is the message that is communicated by this strange and eerie encounter?

Read More


0 Comments8 Minutes

All That’s Left

by Jewish Treats

Read More


0 Comments3 Minutes

Lighting The Way To Peace

by Jewish Treats

Read More


0 Comments2 Minutes

Behar-Bechukotai 5781-2021

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Extraordinary Mitzvah of Tzedakah--Charity”
(updated and revised from Behar-Bechukotai 5762-2002)

The word tzedakah, does not mean charity, but rather justice and righteousness. It is not an act of charity to be generous, it is the correct thing to do.

Read More


0 Comments12 Minutes

Bo 5781-2021

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Slave Mentality”
(updated and revised from Bo 5761–2001)

The Mechilta tells us that what a simple maidservant saw at the Red Sea even the greatest prophets of the future were not to see. If G-d was so close and so palpable to the ancient Israelites, how then was it possible for the Jewish people to lose faith so quickly?

Read More


0 Comments7 Minutes

Lighting The Way To Peace

by Jewish Treats

Read More


0 Comments2 Minutes

Chanukah-What’s The Mitzvah?

by Jewish Treats

Read More


0 Comments2 Minutes

All That’s Left

by Jewish Treats

Read More


0 Comments3 Minutes

Bo 5780-2020

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Rational Love and Emotional Love: A Lesson from Tefillin”
(revised and updated from Bo 5760-2000)

From the ritual of Tefillin we learn that there is both “rational love” and “emotional love,” a love of the mind and a love of the heart. While both these loves are important, in Judaism, emotional love trumps rational love.

Read More


0 Comments10 Minutes

Vayeira 5780-2019

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"The Preciousness of Hospitality"
(Updated and Revised from Vayeira 5760-1999)

While 99-year-old Abraham is recovering from his recent circumcision, he sees potential guests on the horizon. Despite his pain, he quickly runs toward the wayfarers and begs them not to pass by his tent without accepting his hospitality. There is much we can learn from Abraham’s manner of welcoming guests. It is essential that we not lose the capacity to properly perform the noble and ennobling mitzvah of “Hachnassat Orchim.”

Read More


0 Comments10 Minutes

These Lights We Kindle

by Jewish Treats

Read More


0 Comments2 Minutes

Both Oral and Written

by Jewish Treats

Read More


0 Comments3 Minutes

Tzav 5777-2017

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Lessons from the Ceremony of the Consecration of the כֹּהֲנִים—
the Priests”

From the ceremony of the consecration of the priests we learn that mitzvot must be performed with sincerity and full- hearted devotion.

Read More


0 Comments6 Minutes

Behar 5776-2016

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Bernie Sanders Meets Parashat Behar"

Among many important themes, parashat B'ha'a'lot'cha contains two fascinating stories about the Israelites in the wilderness. Both stories can be seen as a metaphor for contemporary Jewish life: Jews who feel that their "souls are dried up" and that Judaism has little or nothing to say to them, and Jews who love their Judaism and do not want to miss out on the wonderful benefits of living a full Jewish life.

Read More


0 Comments10 Minutes

Nitzavim-Rosh Hashana 5775/5776-2015

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Standing Firmly Before G-d and Man”

Parashat Nitzavim conveys a very powerful message of mutual responsibility that should resonate with all Jews, especially during the fateful period of the High Holy Days.

Read More


0 Comments10 Minutes

Eikev 5775-2015

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“‘D’vay’kut’--Bonding with the Al-mighty”

“D’vay’kut,” bonding with G-d, is often thought of as being an exceedingly mystical and esoteric concept, far from the reach of the common folk. Yet it is achievable to those who are willing to emulate G-d’s deeds, embrace the sages and scholars, and heed the message of the Divine in sacred music.

Read More


0 Comments7 Minutes

Vayeira 5774-2013

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Greater than Welcoming the Divine Presence”

Is welcoming guests a greater mitzvah than welcoming the Divine Presence? Perhaps they are of equal value?       

Read More


0 Comments6 Minutes

Sukkot 5774-2013

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Half for You, and Half for G-d"

The Jewish festivals of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot are intended to be shared celebrations. Half is to be devoted to the celebrants and half to the Al-mighty.

Read More


0 Comments7 Minutes

Lighting The Way To Peace

by Jewish Treats

Read More


0 Comments2 Minutes

Chayei Sarah 5773-2012

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Beware Not to Return My Son There!"

Why was Abraham so adamant about not allowing his servant, Eliezer, to take Abraham’s son, Isaac, out of the land of Israel to look for an appropriate mate?

Read More


0 Comments11 Minutes

Eikev 5772-2012

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Loving the Stranger”

If attitudes of antipathy and xenophobia are often directed at mere strangers, how much more so to strangers who wish to convert to Judaism, who are neither members of our families, nor of our people. Consequently, the Torah laws regarding the proper treatment of converts are rather extensive and quite detailed.

Read More


0 Comments8 Minutes

Behar-Bechukotai, Yom Yerushalayim 5772-2012

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Living Outside the Land of Israel"

Although the Midrash regards the importance of the mitzvah of dwelling in the land of Israel as equivalent in value to all the other Torah mitzvot combined, the debate still rages today regarding the obligation for all Jews to dwell in the land of Israel.

Read More


0 Comments8 Minutes

Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5772-2012

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Respect for Elders"

Our rabbis suggest that according filial respect and honoring elders are the fundamental building blocks of a healthy society, without which the world would soon revert to a state of chaos.

Read More


0 Comments7 Minutes

Chanukah-What’s The Mitzvah?

by Jewish Treats

Read More


0 Comments2 Minutes

Lech Lecha 5772-2011

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Two Covenants”

In this week’s parasha, we learn of two covenants, the Covenant between the Pieces and the Covenant of Circumcision. What is the relationship between these two covenants?

Read More


0 Comments9 Minutes

  • 1
  • 2

Stay Up to Date

Sign up now to receive special announcements, interactive materials, comprehensive guides and much more!

Learn More

Partners

My Community
Programs to Offer
Donations
Sponsors
Grant Opportunities
Volunteers

Resources

Myself or My Family
Explore NJOP
Classes and Programs
Twebrew School
Audio & Video
Recipes

Recent Posts

  • Behar-Bechukotai 5785-2025
  • The Battle of Kibbutz Yad Mordechai
  • Modern Day Heros

All NJOP Posts
All Torah Messages
All Jewish Treats

1345 Avenue of the Americas, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10105
646.871.4444 • 800.44.Hebre(w)
646.871.0100
Contact Us • Legal
Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy

© 2023 NJOP.org. All rights reserved.
Designed & Powered by Insomnia Graphix
The NJOP website is dedicated in loving memory of Ernest G. and Heidi Kahn. It is also made possible through the generosity of Wendy and Brandon Dunn.

Accessibility

  • Powered with favoriteLove by Codenroll