Bechukotai,Weekly Message,Behar
Behar-Bechukotai 5783-2023
“The Revolutionary Nature of Shemita and Yovel” (updated and revised from Behar-Bechukotai 5764-2004) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Behar, the first of this week’s two…
Bechukotai,Weekly Message,Behar
Behar-Bechukotai 5764-2004
"The Revolutionary Nature of Shemita and Yovel" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In the first of this week's double parashiot, parashat Behar, we encounter the remarkable laws of Shemita--the…
Solomon Bush and the Revolutionary War
What was the highest rank obtained by a Jewish soldier during the Revolutionary War? The answer is Lieutenant-Colonel, by order of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania, to Solomon Bush.…
A Song of Nature
According to the introduction of Perek Shirah (A Chapter of Song), after King David finished composing the Book of Psalms, he cried out to God: “Is there any creature that You have…
Nature’s Rules
When you think about the "Laws of Nature," like gravity, take a moment to be in awe of the fine details of God's creation.
Acts of Nature, with a Little Help
Our Rabbis have taught: On entering the barn to measure the newly harvested grain one shall recite the benediction, ‘May it be Your will O Lord, our God, that You may send blessing upon…
A Revolutionary in Georgia
Mordecai Sheftall (1737-1797), the son of Benjamin and Perla Sheftall, emigrants from England, was born in Savannah, Georgia. A successful self-made merchant-come-landholder, Mordecai was…
Revolutionary Doctors
At the time of the American Revolution, approximately 2,000 Jews resided in the colonies. A fair number of these Jews served in the Continental Army, and many others showed their…
Revolutionary Reflection
Take a moment and reflect on the positive history of Jews in America.
Behar,Yom Ha'atzmaut,Weekly Message
Behar-Yom Ha’atzmaut 5768-2008
"The Incredible Yovel--The Jubilee Year" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Behar, we learn about the Yovel, the Jewish Jubilee year, which was celebrated every…