Shemuel #149 - Chapter 30:1-6 - Facing a Crisis of Confidence - Jan 26, 2023 - First, a review of Chapter 29 (including a challenge to Malbim based on Divrei haYamim). Then on to Chapter 30, which is a story about both King David and the people who followed him. Amalek raids Tziklag while Dovid is with the Philistines; why did Hashem allow this to happen - or did Hashem actually engineer it?

Icons of Moroccan Jewry 3a: Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar, Part 2 - Jan 25, 2023 - A brief look at mysticism found in the Torah of Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar - Shabbat as a day when Creation is given a new, weeklong lease on existence, and the Torah's presentation of Bikkurim as a guide to success in judgment in the next world. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Icons of Moroccan Jewry 3b: The Baba Sali, Part 1 - Jan 25, 2023 - An overview of the history of Moroccan Jewry from the 18th to 20th century, and an introduction to the history of the Elbaz family, which would become the Abu Chatzeira family. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Mishlei, Week 3: Divine Wisdom? - Jan 24, 2023 - Is Mishlei Divine wisdom or human wisdom? The argument for Divine wisdom. (Next week we see the other side...) The claim for authorship by Shlomo haMelech, the role of Chizkiyahu's group, and more.

Submitting an Essay by ChatGPT for a School Assignment - Jan 23, 2023 - Part of a panel program for high school students on different aspects of Artificial Intelligence. Halachah and Ethics.

Parshah Questions: Vaera 5783 - Communication Lessons - Jan 19, 2023 - A quick look at questions on the parshah. Parshat Vaera: Why do the Jews believe Moshe in Parshat Shemot (4:31) and not in Parshat Vaera (6:9)? A range of approaches.

Shemuel #148 - Chapter 29 - Hashem and King Achish 1, King David 0 - Jan 19, 2023 - Achish's men object to Dovid's presence at the battlefield against the Jews. Achish conveys to Dovid an altered version of the request to leave - why? And why does Dovid insist on staying? And why is Perek 29 after Perek 28?

Icons of Moroccan Jewry 2: Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar, Part 1 - Jan 18, 2023 - An overview of the history of Moroccan Jewry from the 12th to 18th centuries, and a brief history of the Ben Attar family, and a brief biography of Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar, author of the Ohr haChaim commentary to chumash. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Mishlei, Week 2: The Message of Mishlei - Jan 17, 2023 - The basic message of Mishlei: Acquire intellectual levels and thereby become righteous, and this will lead to benefit from the community and nation as a whole.

Medical Halachah: Eating Disorders in Judaism - Jan 16, 2023 - What are eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, and how does Halachah view them? Are there special risk factors in the Jewish community, and what can we do about them? Nothing in this shiur should be taken as practical guidance; please consult medical and rabbinic professionals for each case.