Shavuot 5769-2009
"Mother of Royalty" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In I Kings 2:19, we read that Queen Bathsheba, the mother of the recently coronated King Solomon, came to speak to Solomon regarding his…
Shavuot 5762-2002
"Beyond the Book of Ruth: The Untold Story" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Beginning this Thursday night, May 16th and continuing through Friday and Shabbat, May 17th and 18th, Jews…
Shavuot 5763-2003
"The Remarkable Legacy of Ruth, the Righteous Convert" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Because, this year, the festival of Shavuot falls on Friday and Shabbat, the regular parasha, Naso, is…
Vayigash 5767-2006
"Two of the Seventy Souls" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Vayigash, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. The old patriarch, Jacob, departs from Beersheba to…
Sarah’s Whereabouts Determine Jewish Law
Parashat Vayeira begins with Avraham convalescing after his circumcision. Unexpectedly, he sees three “visitors,” whom the Midrash identifies as angels, come toward his home. Excited to…
Sarah’s Whereabouts Determine Jewish Law
Parashat Vayeira begins with Abraham convalescing after his circumcision. Unexpectedly, he sees three “visitors,” whom the Midrash identifies as angels, come toward his home. Excited to…
Matot-Masei 5778-2018
“Judaism and Warfare” In parashat Matot, the first of this week’s double parashiyot, Matot-Masei, we read of the great battle that Israel waged to avenge the Midianite nation for leading…
Shavuot ResourcesUncategorized
Laws and Customs of Shavuot
ShavuotLaws and Customs Table of Contents Festival Laws The Book of Ruth Customs Shavuot is a low-key, pensive holiday,…
B’shalach 5769-2009
"Pharaoh Sends the People of Israel out of Egypt" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat B'shalach opens with a well-known verse describing Israel's dramatic exodus from Egypt. The Bible,…