Shah! The Evil Eye!

“Oh, what a beautiful baby!” a woman says to another. “Kayn ayin harah,” the mother replies, “There shouldn’t be an evil eye!” What a strange reaction this is! Wouldn’t “thank you” be…

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Oh Evil Tongue

“Come and see how great the power of an evil tongue is! Whence do we know [its power]? From the spies: for if it happens thus to those who bring up an evil report against wood and stones,…

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Oh, Evil Tongue

“Come and see how great the power of an evil tongue is! Whence do we know [its power]? From the spies: for if it happens thus to those who bring up an evil report against wood and stones,…

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Recognize Evil

Unfortunately we have to recognize terror for what it is; pure evil.

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Matot-Masei 5772-2012

“Words that Hurt, Words that Heal” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Matot, the first of this week’s two parashiot, we are immediately confronted with the exceptional power of…

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Vayikra 5784-2024

“Parashat Zachor: 'Hating as a Mitzvah'" (updated and revised from Vayikra 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Since the festival of Purim will be celebrated this coming Saturday…

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Bereshith 5781-2020

“The Origins and Meaning of Evil” (updated and revised from Bereshith 5762-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   After 9/11 and the World Trade Center terrorist bombings, we thought…

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Va’etchanan-Tisha B’Av 5769-2009

"Tisha b'Av: Never Beyond Redemption" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Va'etchanan, we read the portion from Deuteronomy 4:25, which is read on Tisha b'Av,…

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Vayikra-Purim 5763-2003

"Parashat Zachor: 'Hating as a Mitzvah?'" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald Since the festival of Purim will be celebrated this coming Monday night, March 17th and Tuesday, March 18th, this…

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Metzorah 5774-2014

“The Peddler and Evil Speech” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Metzorah, again addresses the Biblical affliction Tzara’at, צָּרַעַת. Parashat Metzorah teaches…

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