Netzach – Victory
The fourth week of Sefirat Ha’Omer, the counting of the days between Passover and Shavuot, is dedicated to the Sephirah of Netzach - Victory. (For an explanation of the sephirot, please…
Mikeitz,Chanukah,Weekly Message
Mikeitz-Chanukah 5761-2000
"What is Chanukah Really About?" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This coming week's parasha, Parashat Mikeitz, deals with the continuing saga of Joseph, specifically Pharaoh's dream, Joseph's…
Mikeitz-Chanukah 5782-2021
“What is Chanukah Really About?” (updated and revised from Mikeitz 5761-2000) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Mikeitz, continues the magnificent saga of…
Jews and War
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) is one of the world’s top fighting forces. This is not so surprising when one recalls that the Bible is filled with references to military might. Even…
A Bio of Barak
Barak the son of Avinoam does not have much in common with Barack Obama, who is now being inscribed in the pages of history as the forty-fourth president of the United States. While…
Yom Ha'atzmaut,Weekly Message,Emor
Emor-Yom Ha’atzmaut 5763-2003
"The Counting of the Omer and the Celebration of Israel's Independence" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Emor, coincides with the celebration of Yom Ha'atzma'ut,…
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…
NILI
For 400 years prior to World War I, Palestine was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. Although the Turks generally allowed Jews to live in peace, by the late 19th century, the government of…
Putting Chanukah in Perspective
Last night we lit the final Chanukah candles, and today is the last day of the holiday. Let us now take just a few more moments to make Chanukah real in our minds. We’ve talked about the…
Mikeitz,Chanukah,Weekly Message
Mikeitz-Chanukah 5768-2007
"Unexpected Parallels between Mikeitz and the Story of Chanukah" by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Mikeitz, is almost always read on Shabbat Chanukah. Could there be…