No Need To Compare
Studies in comparative religion focus on the similarities of different religions. It is fascinating to note the way religions overlap. For instance, the dietary laws of Jews and Muslims…
Kee Teitzei 5768-2008
"The 'Mitzvah' of Divorce" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we have previously noted, parashat Kee Teitzei contains the largest number of mitzvot of any parasha in the Torah. According to…
Tzav 5763-2003
"What We Learn from the Jewish 'Caste System'" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's Torah portion, Parashat Tzav, continues the Torah's description of the sacrificial rite, and…
Tzav 5782-2022
“What We Learn from the Jewish ‘Caste System’” (Updated and revised from Tzav 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Tzav, continues the Torah’s…
Philosophical Dialogue
Spain in the early Middle Ages was a breeding ground for philosophers. As the peninsula shifted from Christian control to Muslim and back to Christian again, philosophy became the common…
The name of the letter chaf (kaf…Tzav-Purim 5760 – 2000
"Remembering Amalek: A Contemporary View" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald While this coming week's parasha is Parashat Tzav, I would rather focus today on the joyous, but complex holiday…
Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5760-2000
"An Exclusive Covenant with an Inclusive Philosophy" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's double parashiot, Nitzavim-Vayeilech, we encounter Moshe on the last day of his…
Balak 5764-2004
"How Goodly Are Your Tents O' Jacob" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Balak, we read once again of the non-Jewish prophet, Bilaam, who attempts to curse the…