A Question of Theft

Most cases of theft are black and white but not all. For instance, is it a problem to use a neighbor’s wireless router (bandwidth) without permission? Questions of contested ownership…

Read More

Avoiding Theft

There are many ways to take something away from another person. Consider how your actions and words effect other people.

Read More

Not Such a Little Theft

The entry of the Israelites into the Promised Land is a fairly well-known narrative. It began with the miraculous battle of Jericho, which ended victoriously when the walls came crashing…

Read More

Mishpatim 5764-2004

"The Al-mighty's Concern for the Dignity of the Human Being" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we have previously noted, Parashat Mishpatim essentially establishes the structure of…

Read More

Mishpatim 5783-2023

“The Al-mighty’s Concern for the Dignity of the Human Being” (updated and revised from Mishpatim 5764-2004) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we have previously noted, parashat Mishpatim…

Read More

Vayeitzei 5768-2007

"How Dare You Accuse Me!" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald After working 20 years for Laban, Jacob and his wives decide that it is time to leave Laban and his family. They see no future for…

Read More

Mishpatim 5761-2001

"The 'Sophisticated' and 'Unsophisticated' Criminal" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat Mishpatim, is a lawyer's dream and a layman's nightmare. There are…

Read More

Mishpatim 5780-2020

“The ‘Sophisticated’ and ‘Unsophisticated’ Criminal” (updated and revised from Mishpatim 5761-2001)   by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Mishpatim, is a…

Read More

Matot-Masei 5766-2006

"Taking a Stand Against the Banality of Evil" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the first of this week's double parashiot, Matot-Masei, we read of the battle that the people of Israel waged…

Read More

Don’t Wake Them

If you have ever had a noisy neighbor or lived next door to a construction site, then you know how frustrating it can be to lose sleep because of someone else’s actions. In order to…

Read More