Shemini 5763-2003
"Using, Not Abusing, a Sanctified Substance" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, Parashat Shemini, opens on the eighth and final day of the inauguration of the newly…
Shemini 5760 – 2000
"Substance Abuse in Judaism" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, Parashat Shemini, opens with the majestic ceremony marking the consecration of Aaron and his sons as…
Shemini 5761 – 2001
"The Responsibilities of Leadership" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the opening chapters of this coming week's parasha, parashat Shemini, we encounter Aaron and his sons on one of the…
Yom Hashoah,Shemini,Weekly Message
Shemini-Yom Hashoah 5769-2009
"Aaron's Response to Tragedy–a Lesson for Yom Hashoah" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald It was intended to be the most jubilant day of Aaron's life. Each day, starting on the 23rd day of…
Death at the Inauguration
The story of the eldest sons of Aaron is a tragic tale that is described in the Torah in the vaguest of terms. On the grand day of the inauguration of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), the Torah…
Kee Tisah 5766-2006
"The Role of Aaron and the Golden Calf" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The central focus of this week's parasha, parashat Kee Tisah, is the episode of the Golden Calf. Moses had ascended…
Bamidbar 5768-2008
"Moses: A Spiritual Father" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the third chapter of parashat Bamidbar we are told of the progeny of Moses and Aaron and about the appointment of the Levites…
Bamidbar 5766-2006
"Valuable Insights from the Priestly Logistics" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Much of this week's parasha, parashat Bamidbar, deals with the logistics of Israel's encampment in the…
Bamidbar 5760-2000
"The Risks of Being a Public Figure" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Bamidbar, we read a very intriguing verse (Numbers 3:1): "V'ay'leh tol'dot…
Shemini 5764-2004
"With the Lord as Our Partner" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat Shemini, the Torah portion opens with a description of the eighth and final day of the…