Shoftim 5768-2008

"Waste Not--Want Not" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shoftim, we are introduced to the concept of Bal Tashchit, the prohibition of wanton waste and…

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Va’etchanan 5775-2015

“Do Not Add...and Do Not Detract” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Va’etchanan, we learn of the fascinating and complex mitzvah of not adding or detracting…

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Re’eh 5766-2006

"Adding or Subtracting" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Re'eh is a rich and colorful parasha that contains 55 mitzvot, 17 positive and 38 negative. Among the most intriguing of the…

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Kee Tavo 5781-2021

“A Contemporary Interpretation of an Ancient Reproof” (updated and revised from Kee Tavo 5762-2002)   This coming week’s parasha, parashat Kee Tavo, is one of two parashiot in the…

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Eat and Save

"Eat your peas! There are children starving in Africa!" "No dessert until you eat all the food on your plate!" "Waste not, want not." Today, June 5, 2020, is the United Nations…

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Eat and Save

“Eat your peas. There are children starving in Africa.” “No dessert, until you eat all the food on your plate.” “Waste not, want not.” Today, June 5, 2013, is the United Nations…

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Bo 5769-2009

"It's Payback Time!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the concluding chapter of this week's parasha, parashat Bo, G-d commands Moses to inform the people to sanctify the firstborn. The…

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Terumah 5766-2006

"Make for Me a Sanctuary, And I Shall Dwell in Their Midst" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Terumah, G-d tells Moses to instruct the Jewish people to…

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Passover 5767-2007

"Hitting Bottom" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald The Al-mighty had told Moses and the Jewish people to prepare for redemption. In Exodus 12:3, the Israelites are instructed to take a lamb on…

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Kiddush

Kiddush Kiddush, sanctification, is the prayer said over wine and/or grape juice through which Jews proclaim the uniqueness of…