Vayechi 5769-2009
"Blessing the Children" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Blessing children plays a crucial role in parashat Vayechi. First, old Jacob blesses Joseph's children, Ephraim and Menashe, and then…
Pinchas 5773-2013
“The Lesson of the Broken Vav” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Pinchas, we learn the identities of the two defiant people who committed an act of public…
Illusions and Magic
Make sure to distinguish between an illusion and actual “magic” which is a problematic issue in Jewish law.
Pinchas 5770-2010
"The Colorful Biography of Pinchas" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald At the end of last week's parasha, we learned that a prominent couple performed a lewd act in public in order to directly…
Shemini 5773-2013
"Authentic Religious Ecstasy" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shemini, we read of the tragic deaths of Aaron’s elder sons, Nadav and Abihu. When describing…
His Tricks Were Quite A Treat
It is commonly acknowledged that the magician and escape artist Harry Houdini (1874-1926) set the standard for all performing magicians to come. Many people are also aware of the fact…
His Tricks Were Quite A Treat
It is commonly acknowledged that the magician and escape artist Harry Houdini (1874-1926) set the standard for all performing magicians to come. Many people are also aware of the fact…
Sorcerers Beware
In Sanhedrin 67b, Rabbi Ashi states that he saw “Karna’s father blow his nose violently and streamers of silk issued from his nostrils.” Some magic tricks really do stem from ancient…
His Tricks Were Quite A Treat
It is commonly acknowledged that the magician and escape artist Harry Houdini (1874-1926) set the standard for all performing magicians to come. Many people are also aware of the fact…
His Tricks Were Quite a Treat
It is commonly acknowledged that the magician and escape artist Harry Houdini (1874-1926) set the standard for all performing magicians to come. Many people are also aware of the fact…