Abraham ben Abraham
Legend has it that Valentine Pototski, the son of a Polish nobleman, met an old Jew at a tavern and promised to convert to Judaism if the Jew convincingly argued the superiority of…
Vayeira 5776-2015
“The Trials of Abraham” by Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Vayeira, includes at least three of the ten trials that Abraham faced during his life. Pirkei Avot, Ethics of…
Lech Lecha 5766-2005
"Abraham, Father of the Jewish Nation" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Although the birth of Abram (Abraham's original name) is recorded at the end of parashat Noah (Genesis 11:26), it is in…
Abraham in the Idol Shop
According to Jewish tradition, Abram was very young when he came to the conclusion that the world had One Creator. Although it is often said that Abraham discovered monotheism, the…
Abraham’s Other Sons
Quick quiz: Who were Abraham’s sons? Most people probably answered Isaac, and, of course, they are correct. Others might have said Ishmael, and they are also right. Few people, however,…
Touching the Equation
Imagine having a passion for mathematics but lacking the language to express it. Math, with all of its detailed and complex problem solving, is an extremely visual field of study. Because…
Touching the Equation
Imagine having a passion for mathematics but lacking the language to express it. Math, with all of its detailed and complex problem solving, is an extremely visual field of study. Because…
Touching the Equation
Imagine having a passion for mathematics but lacking the language to express it. Math, with all of its detailed and complex problem solving, is an extremely visual field of study. Because…
Chayei Sarah 5768-2007
"O Captain, My Captain" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Although the name of this week's parasha is Chayei Sarah, literally, "the life of Sarah," the parasha does not really concern itself…
Children of Abraham and Sarah
“Children of Israel,” an often used title for the Jewish people, is a name defined by the familial relationship of the descendants of Abraham and Sarah. This familial relationship (which…