Jewish Treats

Lilith – Queen of the Demons

Although it is not a well-known aspect of Judaism, demons abound in Jewish lore. Mentioned throughout the Talmud and Midrash, they are forces that work against humankind except when they…

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Jewish Treats

What Goes Bump In The Night

Many are familiar with the fact that angels play a significant role in Judaism, like the angels who tell Abraham that his 90 year old wife was going to give birth to a boy (Genesis 18).…

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Jewish Treats

Cutting Through Stone

By all accounts, the First Temple was a magnificent edifice built with cedars from Lebanon and enormous quarried stones. When contemplating the manner in which the Temple was constructed,…

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Jewish Treats

The Most Important Meal

Across the country, school breakfast programs are offered in order to ensure that students will be properly nourished and capable of putting forth their best efforts during their day of…

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Jewish Treats

The Most Important Meal

Across the country, school breakfast programs are offered in order to ensure that students will be properly nourished and capable of putting forth their best efforts during their day of…

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Jewish Treats

A Lullaby Blessing

In the Talmud (Berachot 5a), Rabbi Yitzchak is quoted saying: "Whoever recites the Bedtime Shema is as though he held a two-edged sword in his hand [to protect him against demons]...”…

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Kee Teitzei,Weekly Message

Kee Teitzei 5765-2005

"The Revolution that Started with a Fence" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The extraordinary number of themes that are found in parashat Kee Teizei make it seem as if the Torah, with only…

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Vayikra,Weekly Message

Vayikra 5764-2004

"Insights for the Contemporary Soul from Ancient 'Primitive' Rituals" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald With this week's parasha, parashat Vayikra, we begin reading the Book of Leviticus, which,…

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Mishpatim,Weekly Message

Mishpatim 5768-2008

"Showing Sensitivity to the Helpless and the Downtrodden" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Among the 53 mitzvot that are found in parashat Mishpatim (23 positive and 30 negative) are a series…

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Vayikra,Weekly Message

Vayikra 5782-2022

“Insights for the Contemporary Soul from Ancient ‘Primitive’ Rituals” (Updated and revised from Vayikra 5764-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald With this week’s parasha, parashat Vayikra,…

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