The Songs of the Ibn Ezra

The joy of Shabbat is expressed in many ways throughout the “Day of Rest.” For those of a musical bent (and even for those not so musically inclined), one of the joys of the Shabbat meals…

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Mikeitz 5766-2005

"Marketing G-d by Living Example" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Mikeitz, continues one of the great sagas in world literature, the story of Joseph and his…

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Tetzaveh 5768-2008

"Clothes Make the Person" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Tetzaveh, we read about the priestly vestments--the clothes that the kohanim wore when they served…

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Vayishlach 5761-2000

"The Proper and Improper use of Zealotry" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, parashat Vayishlach, we encounter, in chapter 34, a very painful and distressing story…

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Birkat HaBanim (Blessing the Children)

Birkat HaBanimBlessing the Children “May G-d make you like Ephraim and like Menashe.” “May G-d make you like Sarah, Rebecca,…

Sabbath Prayers: Birkat Ha’banim/Blessing the Children

On Friday nights, it is traditional for parents to give special blessings to their children. There are different blessings for boys and girls, but they share the same concluding verses:…

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Kedoshim 5760 – 2000

"The Revolutionary Idea of Holiness" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat K'doshim, we encounter that magical and revolutionary word which the Torah has…

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Devarim 5760-2000

"Judaism's Unique Views on Justice and the Justice System" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week, we begin reading Deuteronomy, the final book of the five books of the Torah.…

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Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah

- Shemini Atzeret / Simchat TorahThe Gathering of the 8th Shemini Atzeret, literally the Gathering of the…

Burying The Dead

An unusually large body of Jewish law is concerned with interpersonal relationships, teaching how to properly respect each person, since all of humankind is created b’tzelem…

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