Angelic Praises

During the morning and afternoon prayer services (Shacharit and Mincha), when prayers are recited in the presence of a minyan (quorum of ten), the Amidah (the central standing prayer,…

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Kedoshim 5779-2019

“The Revolutionary Idea of Holiness’” (Revised and updated from Kedoshim 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week’s parasha, parashat Kedoshim, we encounter a…

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The Blessings of the Amidah: God’s Holiness

The nineteen blessings of the Amidah make up the core of the Jewish prayer service. The third blessing is a declaration of God’s holiness. Ah’tah kadosh v’shim’cha kadosh, uk’doshim…

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Kedoshim 5760 – 2000

"The Revolutionary Idea of Holiness" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat K'doshim, we encounter that magical and revolutionary word which the Torah has…

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Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5761-2001

"Who is Truly Religious?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parashiot, Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, are once again double parashiot. Both of these parashiot are chock full of novel…

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Behar-Yom Ha’atzmaut 5771-2011

"A State is not Delivered on a Silver Platter" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Behar, contains many themes that pertain specifically to Eretz Yisrael, the land…

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Bentching/Birkat HaMazon/Grace After Meals

Birkat HaMazonGrace After MealsBentching How easy it is, when we are wanting, to ask G-d for the food, to remember our “please…

Kee Teitzei 5772-2012

"The Sanctity of the Camp of Israel" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Kee Teitzei, contains 74 mitzvot-- more mitzvot than any other portion of the Torah. 27 are…

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An Island Community

As the chill of winter settles in, Jewish Treats brings you warm thoughts of the Caribbean - of Barbados to be exact. The first known Jews to arrive on Barbados were refugees from the…

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Shoftim 5762-2002

"The Torah - the First Environmentalist Treatise" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's Torah portion, parashat Shoftim, we find many interesting and challenging ideas. It is…

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