Kohelet, Week 1: King Solomon's War on Mishlei and Iyov - Apr 18, 2023 - Beginning to learn the book of Kohelet. How this book uses the form and style of Mishlei while contradicting its practical wisdom, and how it destroys the narrative style of Iyov while contradicting its insistence on philosophical narratives to explain the world, and why it does both. And Professor Robert Gordis on Kohelet as the work of a single author.

Parshah Questions: Shemini 5783 - Why the Recital? - Apr 4, 2023 - A quick look at questions on the parshah. Parshat Shemini: Why does Moshe need to recite the Divine commands related to the dedication of the kohanim as part of the Miluim service? And why does the Kohen Gadol need to recite the pesukim for his service on Yom Kippur?

Spending Pesach in Nov - Apr 1, 2023 - Why do we read Yeshayah Chapters 10-12 for the haftorah at the end of Pesach? Is it because Sancherev's invasion is at the start of Pesach? Is it the message of change and growth? Is it about the water imagery and Yam Suf?

Zecharyah - Prophet of Hope & Armageddon #3: Defending Jerusalem - Mar 29, 2023 - The concluding three chapters in Zecharyah, with some explanation. Nations attack Jerusalem, and force Yehudah to participate; a Divine defense; miraculous water and purification of Jerusalem; the Mount of Olives splits; and much more! Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Mishlei, Week 11b: Chapter 31 and Eishet Chayil - Mar 28, 2023 - A quick read of the last chapter in Mishlei. Is this all one unit, or are there distinct authors for each part? What is the true subject of the Eishet Chayil poem? If Eishet Chayil is about a particular woman, who might it be?

Mishlei, Week 11a: Mishlei's Influence on Physical Discipline for Children - Mar 28, 2023 - A bit rushed, but a look at the influence of Mishlei 13:24 and related passages in Mishlei, on parental discipline for their children.

Sparks of History: The Geonim - Mar 28, 2023 - Achai Gaon - Saadia Gaon - Amram Gaon - Sherira Gaon - Hai Gaon

Haggadah Night 5783 #2, at Shaarei Shomayim - Mar 27, 2023 - Four brief thoughts for your Pesach Seder, on different parts of the Haggadah, from Rabbi Jared Anstandig, Rabbi Steven Gotlib, Mrs. Sarit Anstandig and Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner!

The Seder Meal: Afterthought, Appetizer or Apex? - Mar 26, 2023 - Should the Pesach Seder meal of Shulchan Orech be the sleepy, post-Maggid afterthought it becomes at many Sedarim? Or should we really speed up Maggid and use Shulchan Orech as the main opportunity for discussing yetziat Mitzrayim? Or should we use everything before Shulchan Orech for our elevation, so that the meal becomes the apex of our Seder, the korban chagigah paving the way for the last part of the korban pesach/afikoman? Arguments from halachah and practicality.

What the Haggadah Omitted - Mar 23, 2023 - Why does the Pesach Haggadah skip the part about Pharaoh making our slavery worse when Moshe came to him, about the Jews complaining and refusing to listen to Moshe, and Moshe complaining to Hashem? The Seder as a love song between the nation and Hashem.