Rebuke With Love
When having to punish or rebuke, it can still be done with love and compassion.
Rebuke for Good
It is “human nature” to question the ups and downs of life. Of course, people mostly question the downs of life. The Jewish view of the world, however, is that nothing happens by chance.…
Devarim 5778-2018
“The Final Rebuke" With this week’s parasha, parashat Devarim, we begin to read the fifth and final book of the Torah. The book of Deuteronomy is known in rabbinic literature as…
Chastisement with Love
“Reprove a wise man, and he will love you” (Proverbs 9:8). Not too many people respond to criticism with increased affection. Even when it comes from someone whom they know has the best…
Va’eira 5762-2002
"Can We Question G-d and Get Away With It?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Va'eira, opens with G-d's response to Moshe's complaint that things have…
Va’eira 5782-2021
“Can We Question G-d and Get Away with It?” (Updated and revised from Va’eira 5762-2002) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Va’eira, opens with G-d’s response to…
Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5769-2009
"Farewell to a Great Leader" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Vayeilech, the second of this week's combined parashiot, Nitzavim-Vayeilech, Moses bids a final farewell to the…
A Proverb For More Than Parents
While there is no single Biblical or Talmudic text that can be compared to any of the formal parenting advice books that abound today, there are frequent pieces of sound parenting advice…
Vayeilech,Weekly Message,Yom Kippur
Vayeilech-Yom Kippur 5777-2016
“Patience Tempered With Love” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeilech, we once again encounter Moses, on the last day of his life, bidding farewell to his…
Shoftim 5770-2010
"Enmity" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Shoftim, we once again encounter the concept of the City of Refuge. It is to the City of Refuge that an…