This is Torah Talk for the week of May 21st, 2017   The (so-called) “structure of the book of Numbers. Nili Fox: “It is often difficult to determine the relationship between contiguous segments.” David Frankel: “Davies concludes that the book has no coherent structure at all.” Jacob Milgrom: “The position of chapter 19 is an […]

This is Torah Talk for the week of May 7th, 2017 Lev. 23:42 You shall live in booths seven days; all citizens [אזרח] in Israel shall live in booths. Rashi: All citizens in Israel. All citizens, and all those in Israel, including converts. [But is Rashi correct?] This week’s handout:  31 Emor 5777 Donate: http://www.gofundme.com/s78nbc

This is Torah Talk for the week of April 23rd, 2017   The strange root צרע and the mysterious words (and names!) that derive from it. Deut. 24:8 In cases of a skin affection [נגע צרעת] be most careful to do exactly as the levitical priests instruct you. Take care to do as I have commanded […]

This is Torah Talk for the week of March 26th, 2017 Why does Lev 2:11 have two different words for “leaven” — and what’s wrong with leaven to begin with? Lev. 2:11 No meal offering that you offer to the Lord shall be made with leaven [חמץ], for no leaven [שאר] or honey may be […]

This is Torah Talk for the week of March 5th, 2017 Exod 28:29 Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel on the breastpiece of decision over his heart, when he enters the sanctuary, for remembrance before the Lord at all times. 30 Inside the breastpiece of decision you shall place the Urim and […]

This is Torah Talk for the week of February 26th, 2017 Just what is that darn “dolphin skin”? Answer:  Like the Covenant Code in last week’s parashah, it’s an ancient Near Eastern thing. This week’s handout:  19-terumah-5777 Donate: http://www.gofundme.com/s78nbc

This is Torah Talk for the week of February 19th, 2017 What does Exod 21:22 mean by saying that a pregnant woman is pushed and “her yeladim come out”? And what is the “other damage” that may or may not ensue? This week’s handout:  18-mishpatim-5777 Donate: http://www.gofundme.com/s78nbc

This is Torah Talk for the week of February 5th, 2017 Just what was that sea the Israelites crossed? And what did Herodotus have to say about it? This week’s handout:   16-beshalach-5777 Donate: http://www.gofundme.com/s78nbc

This is Torah Talk for the week of January 29, 2017 Why is Moses told to “come” to Pharaoh, rather than to “go” to Pharaoh? This week’s handout:  15-bo-5777 Donate: http://www.gofundme.com/s78nbc  

This is Torah Talk for the week of January 22, 2017 Why doesn’t Exodus 6 begin with v. 2 — where the Jewish parashah begins? This week’s handout:  14-vaera-5777 Donate: http://www.gofundme.com/s78nbc