The Blessings of the Amidah: Livelihood
The nineteen blessings of the Amidah make up the core of the Jewish prayer service. The ninth blessing is a request for sustenance and economic success. Ba’raych a’lay’nu Ah’doh’nai…
More Than Material Reflection
Take time during the holiday of Sukkot to reflect on God's hand in your life.
Sukkot 5770-2009
"Sukkot: The Dialectic of a Festival" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald The festival of Sukkot is referred to in the Torah (Exodus 34:22) as "Chag Ha'ah'sif," the festival of the ingathering. It…
Boundary Stones and Unfair Competition in Jewish Law
In parshat Shoftim in the book of Deuteronomy, the Torah teaches that, “You shall not move your fellow’s landmarks, set up by previous generations, in the property that will be allotted…
Terumah 5769-2009
"The Delicate Balance" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Terumah, begins a series of four and a half parashiot that deal extensively with erecting the Mishkan,…
Behar,Weekly Message,Bechukotai
Behar-Bechukotai 5767-2007
"Reward and Punishment" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In the second of this week's double parashiot, Behar-Bechukotai, we encounter the very challenging concept of Divine reward and…
Terumah 5781-2021
“The Mishkan and the Sanctity of the Jewish Home” (updated and revised from Terumah 5763-2003) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald With this week’s parasha, we begin a series of five weekly…
Bechukotai 5771-2011
"Peace--The Greatest of All Blessings" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Bechukotai, is one of two parashiot that include the Tochachah, G-d’s reproof of the Jewish…
Terumah 5767-2007
"G-d's Love Letters" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Terumah, we begin a series of five parashiot that deal rather extensively with the details of erecting…
Genesis,Chayei Sarah,Weekly Message
Chayei Sarah 5773-2012
"Beware Not to Return My Son There!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, we learn that Abraham, who is well-on in years, is deeply concerned about…