Shirt Off The Back

There are two common, related idioms that have distinct and opposite meanings: 1) giving the shirt off one’s back and 2) taking the shirt off one’s back. The former refers to an act of…

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Behar 5782-2022

“Understanding Hebrew and Canaanite Servitude” (updated and revised from Behar 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Behar, we learn of the laws of the…

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Re’eh 5772-2012

“The Gift of Self Esteem” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Re’eh, contains many fascinating themes. Among the most fascinating and challenging are the laws…

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Devarim 5765-2005

"The Book of Deuteronomy–Mishneh Torah and the Purpose of Repetition" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Devarim, marks the commencement of the fifth book of the…

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Behar 5763-2003

"Understanding Hebrew and Canaanite Servitude" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Behar, we learn of the laws of the Eved Ivri and the Eved K'na'ani,…

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