A Poet from the Ashes

"There is nothing in the world for which a poet will give up writing, not even when he is a Jew and the language of his poems is German." One can only imagine the great burden Paul Celan…

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Tzav 5764-2004

"Making the Menial Hallowed and Mundane Holy" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Tzav, continues parashat Vayikra's theme of sacrifices. The laws of the…

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Tzav 5783-2023

“Making the Menial Hallowed and the Mundane Holy” (updated and revised from Tzav 5764-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Tzav, continues the theme of…

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Tzav 5768-2008

"Never Give Up Hope!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the opening verses of this week's parasha, parashat Tzav, we learn the details concerning the priestly responsibilities when offering…

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Tzav 5769-2009

"Judaism's Upbeat View of the Past" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In last week's parasha, parashat Vayikra, the Torah addressed its message to those Israelites who sought to atone for a…

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Tzav 5776-2016

“Dressing Properly for Special Occasions” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Tzav, opens with detailed instructions to the Kohanim, the priests, regarding taking…

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Tetzaveh 5767-2007

"Details, Details and More Details" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Tetzaveh continues the Torah's focus on the innumerable details of the Mishkan--the portable Tabernacle that…

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Tzav 5770-2010

"The Command" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Tzav, the Al-mighty says to Moses (Leviticus 6:2): "Tzav et Aharon v'et bah'nahv lay'mor: Zoht toh'raht…

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How Now, Red Cow

Every year, on the first or second Shabbat following Purim, a special reading from Numbers 19, is added to the regular Shabbat Torah reading. Known as Parashat Parah, the Torah…

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How Now, Red Cow

Every year, on the first or second Shabbat following Purim, a special reading from Numbers 19, is added to the regular Shabbat Torah reading. Known as Parashat Parah, the Torah…

Read More