Shemuel #139 - Chapter 28:15-19 - Punishing the nation; Was this real? - Dec 1, 2022 - Why should the Jews lose their war, and why should Shaul's children die, as punishment for his sins? And did Shaul actually converse with the spirit of Shemuel, or was the Ov experience a hoax? Or something in between?

Jews and Clothes #5: Tzniut and the Religious Uniform - Nov 30, 2022 - Why do observant Jews commonly avoid wearing red? What is the idea behind Tzniut? Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Shir haShirim 8: Philosophy Lessons - Nov 29, 2022 - Ralbag and Malbim view Shir haShirim as a guide to intellectual perfection, which leads to spiritual perfection. How do they read and explain the narrative?

Parshah Questions: Toldot 5783 - Lessons of Lentil Soup - Nov 24, 2022 - A quick look at questions on the parshah. Parshat Toldot: Was Esav really foolish enough to sell his birthright for a bowl of soup, and not demand more from Yaakov, who clearly wanted it? Or are these two separate transactions? A lesson in how midrash works.

Shemuel #144 - Chapter 28:11-19 - Shemuel's Rebuke - Nov 24, 2022 - Understanding the association between Shemuel's soul and his body and clothing, when he appears in En Dor. What does Judaism teach regarding the relationship of a soul with its former body and clothes, and with events in this world?

And Shemuel's rebuke to Shaul, and how it fits their relationship from when Shemuel was alive.

Giants Of #8: Rav Saadia and the Calendar - Nov 24, 2022 - Rav Saadia (Gaon) vs Aharon ben Meir of Eretz Yisrael regarding control of the Jewish calendar, and a catalog of Rav Saadia Gaon's publications. Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.

Jews and Clothes #4: Mood Clothing - Nov 23, 2022 - The impact of clothing on mood, and how Judaism sees clothing reflecting and affecting our mood. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Shir haShirim 7a: The Personal Layer (Rambam, Rabbeinu Bechayye) - Nov 22, 2022 - Reading Shir haShirim as a story of the love between Hashem and the individual.

Shir haShirim 7b: The Philosophical Level, Part 1 (Ralbag) - Nov 22, 2022 - Introducing an approach to Shir haShirim which reads it as Shlomo haMelech's lesson for realizing the potential of our intellect in apprehending Hashem כביכול.

Shemuel #143 - Chapter 28:7-14 - Shaul Summons Shemuel - Nov 17, 2022 - Understanding midrashim on the identity of the Baalat Ov, and of Shaul's escorts. The Ov recognizes Shemuel, and identifies Shaul - how? And why is this whole section so vague?