Can’t We Agree on the Blessings over Brit Milah?
Parashat Vayera contains the story of the circumcision of Isaac (Genesis 21:4), the first person to undergo the ritual of circumcision on the eighth day of life. At a Brit Milah, the…
Elijah – Our Passover and Brit Milah Guest
At the Passover seder, those children who are still awake after the meal watch eagerly to see if the prophet Elijah comes to drink from his special cup...(and adults often shake the table…
Rejoice at a Brit Milah
When attending a Brit Milah, make sure to help inject the event with joy.
Human Rights and Brit Milah
Today, December 10th, is "Human Rights Day." Chanukah is the holiday when Jews fought for our rights. Today, the Jewish right to circumcision is once again being challenged. Stand up and…
Tazria-Metzorah 5764-2004
"Circumcision and Shabbat" by Rabbi Ephraimn Z. Buchwald In order to properly coordinate the weekly Torah readings with the Hebrew calendar, two parashiot are read this week--Tazria and…
Plenty of Honors
The birth of a baby boy is exciting and, at the same time, nerve-racking. In addition to adjusting to the baby, dad and mom must prepare for the brit milah, the circumcision ceremony,…
The Shalom Zachar
The first celebration in the life of a Jewish baby boy is not actually the brit milah (circumcision). Since every Jewish boy must pass through one Shabbat before his brit milah, it is…
Shelach 5765-2005
"Bread Alone" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As the name of the parasha, "Shelach lecha"--send for yourself, indicates, this week's parasha focuses on the 12 scouts that were sent by the…
Vayeira 5773-2012
“Seeking Advice From a Good Friend” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As this week's parasha, parashat Vayeira, opens, G-d appears to Abraham in the Plains of Mamre. The Bible, in Genesis…
Tazria 5771-2011
“Childbirth and Ritual Impurity” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Our latest grandchild, Yosef Yehudah Berger, was born to our children, Ayelet and Gavriel Berger, on Thursday, March 10th,…