Disclaiming a Mystery
Who doesn’t like a good mystery? In the twenty-first century, whodunnits dominate the best-sellers lists, perhaps because one feels safer knowing that no matter how elusive--the bad guy…
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The Mystery of Hester Panim
The Mystery of Hester Panim “To the believer, it’s the Hand of G-d-Divine Providence moving behind the scenes to…
A Teacher Shrouded in Mystery
In 1956, Uruguay received one of its most interesting Jewish immigrants, known to history only as Mr. Chouchani. While he was not a displaced person, by most accounts of those who knew…
Autopsy
Medical mystery thrillers--novels in which the mystery is often solved through autopsy--are very popular these days. But most autopsies do not set off thrilling adventures of sleuthing.…
Vayeishev 5766-2005
"The Vast Majority of the Time, G-d Rules the World" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Unbeknownst to all of the characters who play significant roles in parashat Vayeishev, G-d is diligently…
Real Mysteries
Remember that God created the entire world, both that which we understand and that which remains a mystery.
Chayei Sarah 5772-2011
“The Mystery of Machpelah” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Chayei Sarah, we read of the passing of Abraham’s wife, the matriarch Sarah, at age 127, and her…
Lech Lecha 5779-2018
“Why Did G-d Choose Abraham?” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Lech Lecha, G-d, seemingly arbitrarily, calls out to Abram (whose name had not yet been changed…
Shemot 5768-2007
"Who Were the Midwives?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Shemot, we read that Pharaoh, king of Egypt, orders the Hebrew midwives to kill the male children as…
Word Magic
If you have ever heard that the magical word "Abracadabra" is Hebrew, then you may enjoy today's Jewish Treat highlighting the etymological connection of some common English words and…