Tazria-Metzorah 5761-2001

"Challenging the Stereotypes: Purity and Impurity in Childbirth" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the first of the this coming week's double parashiot, Tazria-Mezorah, we encounter one of…

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Tazria-Metzorah 5780-2020

“Challenging the Stereotypes: Purity and Impurity in Childbirth” (edited and revised from Parashiot Tazria-Metzorah 5761-2001)   by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald   In the first of…

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Facing Adulthood as a Nation

Most governments recognize age 18 as the age of legal adulthood at which a person assumes full responsibility for his/her life. They no longer need a parent or guardian’s permission for…

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Passover: The Second Days 5768-2008

"Counting the Omer" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In parashat Emor, we learn of the mitzvah of counting the Omer. Leviticus 23:15-16 declares: "Oosfartem lachem mee'macharat…

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Passover II 5782-2022

Passover II 5782-2022 “Counting the Omer” (Revised and updated from Passover II 5768-2008) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Emor, we learn of the mitzvah of counting the Omer. In…

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Does Life Begin at 40?

In 1932 Walter Pitkin published his popular self-help book, Life Begins at Forty. Truthfully, before the 20th century, life expectancy, on average, rarely exceeded 40. The number 40 is…

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Does Life Begin at 40?

In 1932 Walter Pitkin published his popular self-help book, Life Begins at Forty. Truthfully, before the 20th century, life expectancy, on average, rarely exceeded 40. The number 40 is…

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Metzorah 5779-2019

“The Ultimate Value and Sanctity of Human Life in Judaism” (Revised and updated from Metzorah 5760-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Metzorah, continues the…

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The Creation of the State of Israel

The Creation ofThe State of Israel Table of Contents THE JEWISH PRESENCE IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL ISRAEL BEFORE THE……

Thirty Days, The Shloshim

While the seven-day mourning period called shiva is well-known in the general American culture, Jewish mourning is actually a richly layered time period designed, seemingly, to ease the…

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