Jewish Migrations: Origins of Ashkenazim and Sephardim, Part 1 - May 3, 2023 - Week 1 of a 4-part series on how Ashkenazim and Sephardim developed. The early, centralized Jewish world, and how it became decentralized. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Kohelet, Week 3: The Book - Outline and Challenges - May 2, 2023 - Reviewing the outline of the book of Kohelet by Professor Mordechai Zer-Kavod. Then looking at the three basic problems with its canonization in Tanach: 1) Internal contradictions, 2) Contradictions to the ideology of Tanach, 3) The appearance of being simple human wisdom

Shemuel #158 - Chapter 31:6-10 - The Tragedy and the Aftermath - Apr 27, 2023 - The tragedy of Shaul's death. The loss of the Land of Israel to the Plishtim. And the mutilation of Shaul, as recorded here and in Divrei haYamim I 10, highlighting the reversal of Jewish/Philistine roles.

Giants Of #20b: Rabbeinu Gershom, Part 1 - Apr 27, 2023 - Starting to look at Rabbeinu Gershom Meor haGolah - his family, his students, and his influence on Ashkenazi Judaism (and beyond). Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.

Giants Of #20a: The Italian Connection, Part 2 - Apr 27, 2023 - Rabbi Meshulam ben Klonymus and Rabbi Klonymus ben R' Shabtai, and their influence in the birth of Ashkenazi Judaism. Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.

Parshah Questions: Kedoshim 5783 - Whose Desire Is It? - Apr 27, 2023 - A quick look at questions on the parshah. Parshat Kedoshim: When the Torah says to bring a korban shelamim "according to your will", whose will (or Will) is that? And what can the distinction teach us?

Kohelet, Week 2: King Solomon as the Author - Apr 25, 2023 - How did Chazal know that Shlomo haMelech wrote Koheles? And what are the arguments of those who challenge his identity as the author?

Giants Of #19: The Italian Connection - Apr 20, 2023 - The role of the Klonymus family in providing leadership for German Jewry at the birth of Ashkenazi Judaism. Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.

Parshah Questions: Tazria-Metzora 5783 - The Extra Korban - Apr 20, 2023 - A quick look at questions on the parshah. Parshiyot Tazria-Metzora: Why does the Metzora bring a korban asham, and with placement of blood and oil on his person, on top of bringing a korban chatat and a korban olah?

Shemuel #157 - Chapter 31:3-7 - Shaul's Death - Apr 20, 2023 - Reviewing the circumstances of Shaul's death from our pre-Pesach class, and then asking: Was Shaul justified in attempting to take his own life? Are there lessons for today's debates surrounding euthanasia and "medical assistance in dying"?