Fourteen Centuries #62: Rabbi Avraham Ibn Ezra, Part 1 - Feb 1, 2026 - Beginning to trace the Sephardic arc in the Jewish world from the end of the period of the Gaonim. Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 83: 13:14-16 - Was Shaul's Punishment Fair? - Feb 1, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Shaul brought his korbanot because of the Plishti assault and the Jews' panic. Is it fair for him to lose the throne for this? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 82: 13:9-14 - Why did Shaul jump the gun? - Jan 30, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Why did Shaul bring the korbanot without waiting for Shemuel? What will be the fallout of this mistake? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

When Moshe Walked Away From Omelas - Jan 29, 2026 - Derashah for Parshat Beshalach 5784. Ursula Le Guin's "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas" provides a good lens for looking at the issue of the needs of the many and the needs of the few in Judaism. We have sources supporting both sides - but Moshe adopts the needs of the few, repeatedly, providing a balance against the national and institutional focus that dominate yetziat mitzrayim.

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 81: 13:6-10 - Panic in the Nation - Jan 29, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. The Plishtim attack en masse, and the Jews panic. Shaul brings his korban - against Shemuel's instructions. To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Megillah 8a - Jan 27, 2026 - "Ein Beins" 4 through 6 - vows not to benefit or eat; neder vs nedavah; zav of two sightings vs zav of three sightings.

Practical Medical Halachah Whatsapp #56 - Prescribing Medication for a Prohibited Abortion - Jan 27, 2026 - A weekly 5-10 minute Medical Halachah Whatsapp. This installment: May a doctor prescribe medication for an abortion that halachah prohibits? Note: Please consult your doctor for medical advice, and your halachic authority for halachic advice. To sign up for the whatsapp go to http://tiny.cc/wamedical

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 80: 13:2-5 - Yehonatan attacks. Now what? - Jan 27, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Shaul starts his reign, and then his son Yonatan suddenly attacks the Plishtim. What will happen next? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Yehoshua #10: Introducing Perek 3: Ethnic Cleansing? - Jan 26, 2026 - How are we meant to understand the command to eradicate the Canaanites, in light of the Torah's many examples and imperatives of compassion? It is not about their threat to us; it's about their identity. And the preference would have been to eradicate the identity and keep the Canaanim.

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 79: 12:23-13:1 - Shemuel Won't Sin - Jan 25, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. Shemuel will forgive the Jews, and daven for them and lead them. And how long is Shaul the king? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel