The Jews of Kaifeng
Until the late 19th century, the Chinese city of Kaifeng was home to an active and dedicated Jewish community that had been there for hundreds of years. The Jews that formed the Kaifeng…
Bereshith-Simchat Torah 5766-2005
"P'roo Ur'voo--Jewish Attitudes Towards Procreation" Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald For some parents, the greatest gift in life is having children. For other parents, the greatest challenge, is…
Bereshith 5765-2004
"'Naked' Means More than Naked" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald How exciting to be starting over again! At the earliest opportunity, the year 5765 is ushered in with the reading of the Torah,…
Bereshith 5763-2002
"Being Moral in an Increasingly Immoral Environment" Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Bershith, is one of the richest of all the narrative portions of the Torah. One…
Kee Teitzei 5762-2002
"Transforming an Enemy Into a Friend" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This past Thursday and Friday marked Rosh Chodesh Elul, the beginning of the new month of Elul, the month that leads in…
Lech Lecha 5768-2007
"The Battle of the Four Kings Against the Five" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Lech Lecha, we read about what is generally known as the "Battle of the Four…
Chayei Sara 5760-1999
"The First Encounter Between Rebecca and Isaac, a Revealing Insight Into the Future" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Chayei Sara, we read of the…
Vayeitzei 5763-2002
"The Transformation of Jacob" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week's Torah portion, parashat Vayeitzei, continues the fascinating story of the patriarchal family of Isaac and the saga of…
Vayeishev 5761-2000
"The Coming of Age of Joseph: from Lad to Bechor" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Vayeishev, we learn of the family of Jacob and of the terrible…
Vayechi 5763-2002
"How Important is Timing?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Vayechi, contains the exalted poetic verses known as "Birkot Yaakov," Jacob's blessings of his…