Jewish Treats

The Harm of Gluttony

For most people, exploring the delightful flavors of the many foods of the world is one of life’s simple but great pleasures. As long as one gives thanks for the food and makes certain…

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Re'eh,Weekly Message

Re’eh 5769-2009

"The Chosen People–Again!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Re'eh, we once again encounter the challenging concept of the "Chosenness" of Israel. After…

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Noah,Weekly Message

Noah 5769-2008

"Nimrod and the Financial Meltdown" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In Genesis 10, the Torah features a long list of descendants of Shem, Cham and Yafet. It is a litany of begets and begats…

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Kee Teitzei,Weekly Message

Kee Teitzei 5767-2007

"Concern for the Property of Others" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Kee Teitzei contains seventy-two mitzvot, more commandments than any other parasha in the Torah. Of the many…

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Matot,Weekly Message

Matot 5771-2011

“Leadership and its Moral Responsibilities” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Matot, G-d tells Moses to take vengeance upon the Midianites on behalf of the…

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Korach,Weekly Message

Korach 5777-2017

“Mrs. Ohn: The Unsung Hero” The Torah, in Numbers 16:1, records the initial steps of the rebellion: וַיִּקַּח קֹרַח בֶּן יִצְהָר בֶּן קְהָת בֶּן לֵוִי, וְדָתָן וַאֲבִירָם בְּנֵי אֱלִיאָב,…

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Eikev,Weekly Message

Eikev 5778-2018

“Contemporary Idolatry”   In this week’s parasha, parashat Eikev, Moses, just days before his demise, continues his final oration to the People of Israel, and conveys his message of…

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Jewish Treats

Not Such a Little Theft

The entry of the Israelites into the Promised Land is a fairly well-known narrative. It began with the miraculous battle of Jericho, which ended victoriously when the walls came crashing…

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Jewish Treats

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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Jewish Treats

Working for the People

One of Hollywood’s favorite stereotypes is that of the corrupt politician. Inevitably, the character has a flashback, or at least refers to, his/her youthful, idealistic goals. Usually…

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