Traveling Man
When Rabbi Jacob Levi Saphir (1822-1886) was 10, his family moved from Oshmiani, a town in the greater municipality of Vilna, to the city of Safed, Palestine (Israel). By the time he was…
Sukkot 5761-2000
"A Sukkot Story: Devotion to a Festival" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald The famed Rabbi Shlomo Zevin, records the unusual story concerning Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev (1740-1810), the…
Sukkot 5780-2019
“A Sukkot Story: Devotion to a Festival” (Updated and revised from Sukkot 5761-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The famed Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin records the unusual story concerning…
Benjamin’s Great Journey
Today, when someone talks about traveling through Europe or Asia, it is hardly surprising. In fact, thousands of young adults do it every year. In the 12th century, however, traveling…
Bamidbar 5765-2005
"Lessons from Traveling in the Wilderness" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Bamidbar, the people of Israel are counted, the structure of the tribal…
B’ha’alot’cha 5766-2006
"With G-d as our Guide" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Beha'alotecha, we are told that the travels of the ancient Israelites in the wilderness were…
Behar 5774-2014
“So That Your Brother May Live With You” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald One of the dominant themes of parashat Behar is the Torah’s concern with those who are impoverished--to provide help…
B’ha’a’lot’cha 5776-2016
“Moses Realizes that His Dreams Were Not Going to be Fulfilled" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat B’ha’a’lot’cha is one of the richest parashiot in the Torah with respect to…
Vayechi 5761-2001
"Revealing the Time of the Coming of the End of Days" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Vayechi, is the only "sealed" parasha in the Torah, meaning that there are…
Kee Tisah 5765-2005
"Shabbat as a Priority in Jewish Life" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Although there are many dramatic moments in the latter parts of parashat Kee Tisah, the early parts of the parasha…