Va’eira 5776-2016

“The Lessons of Genealogy” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Va’eira, we learn of the noble family background of Moses and Aaron, who would soon emerge to lead…

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Masei 5774-2014

  “On the Road: The Lessons of Hindsight” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Masei, concludes the fourth book of the Torah, the Book of Numbers. Parashat…

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Ah’nay’noo / Answer Us

On public fast days, the following prayer asking for communal forgiveness is added by the prayer leader to the repetition of the Amidah during morning and afternoon services. An…

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Kee Tisah-Purim 5762-2002

"The Story of Esther--Making Choices for Jewish Destiny" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Because the festival of Purim will be celebrated throughout the world this Monday evening, the 25th…

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Kee Teitzei 5771-2011

"Sending the Mother Bird Away" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Kee Teitzei, we learn of the fascinating mitzvah of "Sheeluach Ha’Kayn," sending the mother…

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Va’etchanan 5774-2014

“The Prediction of Return” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Va’etchanan, is always read after the Fast of the 9th of Av and after the conclusion of the period…

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Kee Tisah 5783-2023

“The Story of Esther--Making Choices for Jewish Destiny” (updated and revised from Kee Tisah 5762-2002)   by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Because the joyous festival of Purim will be…

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Mishpatim 5774-2014

“Oh’na’ah–Taking Unfair Advantage of the Weak” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Mishpatim, contains 53 of the 613 commandments, 30 negative commandments and 23…

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The Antidote for Baseless Hatred

The calendrical period between the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz and the Fast of Tisha b'Av is known as Bein Hame'tzarim (in the midst of distress) and is referred to colloquially as the…

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The Antidote Of Baseless Hatred

The calendrical period between the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz and the Fast of Tisha b’av is known as Bein Hame’tzarim (in the midst of distress) and is referred to colloquially as the…

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