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punishment

Devarim 5784-2024

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Book of Deuteronomy-Mishneh Torah and the Purpose of Repetition”
(updated and revised from Devarim 5765-2005)

The book of Deuteronomy, known as Mishneh Torah, the repetition of the Torah, serves several important purposes as a complement to the first four books of the Torah: 1. It explains mitzvot that had already been mentioned 2. It provides additional details about previously mentioned narratives 3. It frequently serves as a forum for ethical teachings and lessons regarding reward and punishment 4. It introduces a host of new mitzvot.

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0 Comments10 Minutes

Chukat 5784-2024

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Moses gets Battered by the Commentaries”
(updated and revised from Chukat 5765-2005)

The tragic episode of Moses hitting, instead of speaking to, the rock at Mei Merivahis one of the most difficult and enigmatic in the Torah. The commentators struggle mightily with this Torah portion. As a result, many sins, mistakes and transgressions are attributed to Moses and Aaron. Are they really justified?

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0 Comments8 Minutes

Does Life Begin at 40?

by Jewish Treats

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0 Comments2 Minutes

Shelach 5783-2023

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Where Did the Spies Go Wrong?"

The Malbim, Rabbi Meir Yehudah Leibish, 1809-1879, offers a radically different interpretation of the story of the scouts. He proves that while the ten tribal leaders begin as scouts, looking for the best lands for their kinsmen, they wind up as spies with a strategic military focus. As they travel through the land, their self-image changes. Losing faith and courage, they conclude that the people of Israel will never be able to take over the land of Canaan from the land's fearsome inhabitants.

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0 Comments11 Minutes

Bo 5783-2023

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Subtle Secrets of the 10 Plagues”
(updated and revised from Bo 5763-2003)

Nothing in the Torah is arbitrary. Everything is well thought out and is there for a purpose. The Divine accounting system often operates on the basis of midah kineged midah, that no act is ever unaccounted for, no good deed is ever uncompensated, and no evil deed ever goes unpunished. A careful study of the Ten Plagues with which the Egyptians were struck, uncovers an purposeful sense of balance, underscoring how the plagues were direct retribution for specific acts of persecution that the Egyptians visited upon the Israelite slaves.

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0 Comments10 Minutes

Eikev 5782-2022

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Is There Truth to the Notion of Spiritual Accountability?”
(updated and revised from Eikev 5763-2003)

In the second paragraph of the Shema, we read of the Jew's relationship of responsibility and accountability toward G-d. Could it be that just as there is a physical accountability in the world, there is a spiritual accountability, as well? The Torah categorically affirms this notion.

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0 Comments9 Minutes

Paying For Gold

by Jewish Treats

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0 Comments2 Minutes

Mishpatim 5780-2020

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The ‘Sophisticated’ and ‘Unsophisticated’ Criminal”
(updated and revised from Mishpatim 5761-2001)

In Jewish law, the punishment for stealthy theft is greater than that of violent theft. Perhaps the rabbis were trying to teach society that so-called “white collar” crimes are at least as serious and can be as devastating as what we commonly refer to as “blue collar” crimes.

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0 Comments7 Minutes

No Holiday as Joyous

by Jewish Treats

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0 Comments4 Minutes

Does Life Begin at 40?

by Jewish Treats

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0 Comments2 Minutes

Fearing God

by Jewish Treats

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0 Comments3 Minutes

Shelach 5777-2017

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Slave Mentality”

Without faith, the people cannot overcome their fears that are stoked by a slave mentality. This is not a people who can succeed in the Promised Land. Only a new generation, who have a relationship with the Al-mighty based on a loving faith will enter the land.

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0 Comments8 Minutes

Behar-Bechukotai 5777-2017

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“If Your Brother Becomes Impoverished”

The mitzvah to redeem the land of a fellow Jew who has become impoverished has an important metaphoric message for contemporary times.

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0 Comments6 Minutes

Shemini 5776-2016

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Good Intentions Gone Awry”

The sons of Aaron, Nadav and Abihu, apparently had noble intentions, but they allowed their zeal to lead them astray, resulting in their tragic punishment.

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0 Comments5 Minutes

Bechukotai 5774-2014

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Role of Exile in Jewish Theology”

What is the purpose of exile and what role does exile play in Jewish history?

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0 Comments9 Minutes

Matot-Masei 5773-2013

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Pinchas Avenges the Midianites”

Why is the zealous Pinchas chosen to lead the people of Israel into battle against the Midianites?

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0 Comments7 Minutes

Shemini 5773-2013

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Authentic Religious Ecstasy”

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik suggests that Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Abihu, were judged more harshly because they were in positions of leadership and punished more severely because they attempted to experience religious ecstasy through prohibited means.

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0 Comments9 Minutes

Kee Tisah 5773-2013

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Vengeful G-d--Revisited”

The last of the 13 Attributes of G-d’s mercy is that G-d will not completely cleanse sinners. Is the G-d of the Hebrew Bible a “vengeful G-d”?

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0 Comments9 Minutes

Yitro 5773-2013

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"The Third Commandment: Against Perjury and Profane Swearing"

The third commandment against perjury and profane swearing is often dismissed as “small stuff,” especially when compared to the "big-time" prohibitions against idolatry, adultery and murder. In reality, the third commandment is a key element in Judaism’s efforts to attain a truly moral, ethical and beneficial way of life.

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0 Comments11 Minutes

Kee Tavo 5772-2012

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Persecution’s ‘Silver Lining’”

In G-d’s reproof of the Jewish people, He declares that even in exile the people will not find rest for the soles of their feet. Can persecution actually prove to be a blessing in disguise?

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0 Comments11 Minutes

Mishpatim 5772-2012

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Capital Punishment: Revenge or Restitution?"

In parashat Mishpatim, the Torah introduces the concept of capital punishment. Is the execution of a murderer an act of vengeance, or is it intended to serve as restitution for the loss of human life?

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0 Comments9 Minutes

B’shalach 5772-2012

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Pharaoh's Ultimate Fate"

In Exodus 15, after the splitting of the sea, Moses leads the People of Israel in triumphant song, and Miriam leads the women of Israel in a song of victory. That is the last that we hear of Pharaoh, or is it?

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0 Comments12 Minutes

Toledot 5772-2011

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Isaac Blesses His Sons”

Professor Menashe Duvshani was for many years the premier Bible educator for Israeli high school students. He offers a unique view on the story of Isaac blessing his sons.

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0 Comments15 Minutes

Korach 5771-2011

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Preciousness of Peace”

Because of the focus on the viciousness of the rebellion of Korach and his cohorts, few recognize the tireless efforts of Moses and Aaron to dissuade the rebels from rebelling and save them from destruction.

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0 Comments11 Minutes

Paying For Gold

by Jewish Treats

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0 Comments2 Minutes

Matot-Masei 5770-2010

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Do Not Pollute the Land...Do Not Defile the Land"

In the second of this week's parashiot, parashat Masei, the Al-mighty warns the people of Israel not to "pollute" or "defile" the land of Israel. Perhaps this warning should also be taken as an admonition that Jews neither excessively flatter Israel nor be overly critical of the land.

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0 Comments7 Minutes

Shelach 5770-2010

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Was the Sin of the Scouts Greater than the Sin of the Golden Calf?"

G-d forgives the people for the sin of the Golden Calf, but not when the scouts return with an evil report about the land of Canaan. Is it possible that the sin of the scouts was greater than the sin of the Golden Calf?

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0 Comments9 Minutes

Reward and Punishment

by Jewish Treats

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0 Comments2 Minutes

Cut Off

by Jewish Treats

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0 Comments2 Minutes

Devarim 5769-2009

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Og Stands Tall on the Stage of History"

In Moses' recapitulation of the battles that the Israelites fought during their 40 years in the wilderness, he recalls the defeat of Sihon, the Amorite King, and Og the king of Bashan. Although the biblical text reveals little about Og, the Midrash creates an elaborate biography of the Amorite king.

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0 Comments14 Minutes

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