Behar 5763-2003
"Understanding Hebrew and Canaanite Servitude" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Behar, we learn of the laws of the Eved Ivri and the Eved K'na'ani,…
Behar 5782-2022
“Understanding Hebrew and Canaanite Servitude” (updated and revised from Behar 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Behar, we learn of the laws of the…
Kee Tavo 5781-2021
“A Contemporary Interpretation of an Ancient Reproof” (updated and revised from Kee Tavo 5762-2002) This coming week’s parasha, parashat Kee Tavo, is one of two parashiot in the…
The Nuremberg Trials
On October 16, 1946, ten leaders of the Nazi party were executed after the first of the twelve Nuremberg Trials sentenced them to death. The trials of over 100 defendants took place in…
Shemot 5774-2013
“G-d Recognizes His Peoples’ Sufferings” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Shemot, the enslavement of the Children of Israel by the Egyptians begins in…
Vayeishev 5770-2009
"Joseph in Prison: The Commentators Fill in the Details" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald It's hard to believe that the story of Joseph and his brethren could become any more exciting. It…
Shemot 5767-2007
"The Etiquette of Evil" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Shemot we learn of the cruel enslavement of the Jewish people by Pharaoh and the Egyptians. The Torah relates that after…
Rosh Hashana,Weekly Message,Nitzavim
Nitzavim-Rosh Hashana 5779-2018
“Whatever Became of Sin?” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald According to Rabbi Hayyim Angel, this week’s parasha, parashat Nitzavim, contains “one of the greatest expositions on repentance in…
Yom Kippur 5768-2007
"The Role of the Cantor in the High Holiday Services" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E. It was in that Temple and the First Temple that…
Sukkot-Hoshana Rabbah 5768-2007
"The Festival of Sukkot Comes to a Dramatic Close" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald The final day of Sukkot, both in Israel and in the Diaspora, is known as Hoshanah Rabbah. Hoshanah Rabbah,…