The Morning Blessings: Eh’lo’hai N’shama/The Soul That You Created

Expressing gratitude to God for our lives and our souls is an essential part of the morning prayers. Eh’lo’hai n’shama sheh’na’ta’ta bee t’hora hee. Ah’tah v’ratah Ah’tah y’tzar’tah,…

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Tisha B’Av is Tomorrow*

The saddest day on the Jewish calendar, the ninth of Av, is tomorrow.* (*)This year the 9th of Av is Shabbat so the fast is observed from sundown Saturday until nightfall on Sunday.…

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Judaism vs. Hellenism

Judaism vs. Hellenism Why did the interaction of the Greeks and the Jews create such problems? What was there about Hellenism…

Metzora 5771-2011

"We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On July 4th 1776, the Continental Congress adopted a statement written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, known as the…

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Vayeitzei 5764-2003

"In Praise of Humility" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Vayeitzei, we find Jacob fleeing from the death threats of his brother, Esau. As the sun sets in…

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Vayeitzei 5784-2023

Urgent message: Given the most challenging situation in Israel at this time, I urge all to pray for the bereaved families, the hostages, the missing and the many casualties. Please try…

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Tazria-Metzorah 5770-2010

"The Human Animal" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On three of the next four Shabbatot, the Torah readings will consist of combined parashiot. The main reason for the doubling up is to make…

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Space Week

Today, October 10, 2012, is the last day of "World Space Week." The heavens and the stars have always fascinated humankind. They are so distant, so vast and, as so eloquently pointed out…

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